Badal Calls for Unity Among Sikhs to Reclaim Control of Sacred Institutions

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In a rallying cry to the Sikh community, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal urged them to unite under the party banner to reclaim control of their sacred institutions and shrines. Speaking at the 350th martyrdom anniversary celebrations of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Badal accused the Centre and state governments of taking over the management of key Sikh institutions, including Takht Huzoor Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib. He blamed the weakening of the Akali Dal in recent years for this loss of control. Badal also targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of misleading the public with promises of 'holy city' status for various towns, when in fact this designation had already been granted to Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo 15 years ago. The Akali Dal president condemned CM Mann for disrespecting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, saying that anyone who disrespects the Jathedar of the highest Sikh temporal seat is an enemy of the entire community. Badal urged Sikhs to identify and reject elements that are weakening the community from within, and to adhere to the Sikh principle of 'sarbat da bhala' (the well-being of all) instead of embracing divisive politics. The event also saw Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami speak about the teachings and contemporary relevance of Guru Tegh Bahadur.