Latest news with #SukhbirSinghBadal-led
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Giani Harpreet slams Badal-led SAD, vows to revive party's ‘original spirit'
1 2 Amritsar: Giani Harpreet Singh, newly elected president of a reconstituted Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), launched a scathing attack on the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD, accusing the party of losing its political and moral relevance and failing the youth of Punjab. In a speech delivered after his election, Harpreet Singh said once most-significant party had lost its moral and political relevance and become a tool for self-interest, leading to its national irrelevance. "There was a time if the SAD president would sit on a dharna, the Prime Minister would come personally to hear his demands. When Master Tara Singh protested in Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru came himself to ask what he wanted. Today, the SAD-backed SGPC president has been requesting an appointment with the Prime Minister for two years—and hasn't even received a response. This is the level to which we've fallen," he said. He said the reorganised SAD, guided by the directive of the Akal Takht issued on Dec 2, 2024, seeks to revive the spirit and purpose of the original Akali Dal—one rooted in service, sacrifice, and Sikh values. Talking of Punjab's economy, he said, "There was a time when Sikhs were seen as one of the richest communities in India, especially before the Partition. In pre-1947 Punjab, trade was with Hindus, but agriculture—the backbone of the land—was in the hands of Sikhs," he said, alleging that the Centre had suppressed the community and destroyed its industries, pushing farmers into debt and driving the youth to emigrate. He claimed this decline was enabled by a leadership that looked the other way. MSID:: 123236897 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Op Bluestar anniv: Sikh community faces internal challenges, divisions
Jalandhar: Observing the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar, when Sikhs express anguish and make it evident that wounds of the army action at Golden Temple remain unhealed in their collective memory, it has become evident that in addition to challenges from outside, the community is now facing bigger challenges from within. Riddled by a serious leadership crisis, internal conflicts are dominating major Sikh institutions, leading to erosion of their prestige and authority. Six months after the spectacle at Akal Takht on Dec 2 last year, when the world saw the most powerful political leaders of the community kneel before Sikh high priests, things have reached a point that a showdown is apprehended as warnings have been repeatedly issued that Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj would not be allowed to speak or honour the families of the "martyrs" killed in the 1984 army action. In case a clash happens, it would not only add a blemished chapter to Sikh history, but would also be an irony as it would happen on such a sombre occasion and at the most sacred place for Sikhism, defiling of which remains a festering wound. Though some ruckus and, at times, scuffles have taken place on earlier occasions, these were between radicals and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) establishment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's What A Walk-In Shower Should Cost Kohler Showers Learn More Undo This time, fault lines are very different, and there are apprehensions of things taking a nastier turn, as an organisation like the taksal is involved. Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, an ally of Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD until a few months ago, is at the centre of issuing warnings against Gargaj speaking on the occasion, while arguing that maryada was not followed for his appointment and he was not sarb-parvaanat (acceptable to all). He renewed his warning on Thursday afternoon, and this has pushed the stakes high for either side. Nihang leader Baba Balbir Singh and a couple of other Nihang groups have also joined the chorus. Interestingly, a few leaders and groups who had dual loyalty towards taksal and Sukhbir Singh Badal-led SAD are now clearly siding with the taksal, when a line has been drawn between the two. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, known for his personal rapport with the taksal chief and giving cushion to him even as some SAD leaders attacked the latter, called on Dhumma, but he could not resolve the situation. He has not publicly given his take thereafter. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president and three-time former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, who was considered the contrarian on earlier occasions, is supporting Gargaj and has exchanged barbs with the taksal chief on his warnings. Radical groups, for instance Dal Khalsa, have been urging to avert any clash, so that the solemnity of the occasion is not violated. Dissenting Akali leaders, who have not been leaving any chance to take a dig at Sukhbir and had earlier protested against the unceremonious sacking of jathedars of three takhts, have been staying silent. Scores of Sikh netizens have expressed concern about the mounting tension, and the common refrain is that a clash should not take place. As the stakes are high on either side, another round of narrative war is also expected. MSID:: 121653545 413 |
