Unexpected meet of Akal Takht leaders sparks talk of SAD alliances
Amritsar: An unanticipated joint appearance of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, and Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, the parallel officiating jathedar of Akal Takht appointed during the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa, has caught Panthic circles off guard.
Photographs of the meeting, uploaded on Giani Gargaj's Facebook page and circulated among mediapersons by the Akal Takht secretariat, has fuelled speculation among Sikh religious and political circles.
According to sources,
Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) is believed to be seeking to strengthen its political position by forging ties with hardline Sikh factions. Political analysts view the meeting as an effort to prevent these hardline groups from aligning with Waris Punjab De, a move that could further marginalise SAD already grappling with declining influence in the Panthic circles.
The Facebook post, accompanying the photographs, reads, "Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, associated with a struggling (revolutionary) family, whose three brothers were martyred during the struggle, has been unwell for some time. A visit was made to his home to check on his health and meet with him."
Stating that Mand's three brothers were allegedly killed in police encounters during the period of 'struggle' (militancy) in Punjab, Jarnail Singh Sakhira, the chief organiser of Sarbat Khalsa and a confidant of Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, said that Mand was unaware of Giani Gargaj's visit, which was sudden and unexpected.
According to Sakhira, Giani Gargaj came with the intention of discussing "certain matters", but Mand insisted that such discussions could only take place in a private one-on-one meeting. Sakhira further said that team Sarbat Khalsa previously received informal 'feelers' from Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act, seeking their support. However, the team chose to remain neutral.
"We interpret Giani Gargaj's visit as an attempt to secure Mand's support, which could potentially strengthen the SAD's position," Sakhira said, adding that another meeting between the two religious leaders could be held in the future.
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