Chandigarh/Gurkirpa Bureau/ April/ 15 /2025
Sunil Jakhar, the Punjab president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has sharply criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal, urging it to engage in self-reflection before casting aspersions on others. In a scathing rebuke, Jakhar condemned the Akali Dal’s recent actions, accusing the party of undermining the revered authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. He described these moves as a profound betrayal that has deeply hurt the sentiments of Punjabis across the board.
In a statement issued today, Jakhar pointed to the troubling events at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, calling them a direct affront to the sanctity of the Panth’s most cherished institutions. “While Akali leaders rush to deflect blame onto the BJP with baseless accusations, they cannot obscure their own transgressions,” he asserted, accusing the party of attempting to gloss over its misdeeds.
Jakhar highlighted the Akali Dal’s failure to atone for past mistakes, noting that the party has instead compounded its errors with fresh offenses. He referenced the controversial decision by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to revoke the ‘Fakhr-e-Qaum’ (Pride of the Community) title from former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal. “A humble appeal for reconsideration could have been made,” Jakhar said. “Instead, by passing a resolution to oppose the verdict, the Akali Dal has brazenly challenged the Akal Takht’s authority—a grave and unforgivable sin.”
He also took aim at the spectacle at Teja Singh Samundri Hall, where, under the sacred shadow of Sri Harmandir Sahib, supporters were rallied to cheer for a political leader. “While the resounding chants of ‘Bole So Nihal’ are part of our tradition, turning a sacred space into a stage for personal glorification reeks of arrogance,” Jakhar remarked, calling it an act that disrespects Sikh values.
Reflecting on the Akali Dal’s legacy, Jakhar noted that the party was founded to champion Panthic interests and safeguard Punjab’s ethos. “Yet today, its leaders have sacrificed those ideals at the altar of narrow, self-serving ambitions,” he lamented. At a time when Punjab grapples with sensitive challenges, he criticized the Akali leadership for fixating on consolidating power for a select few rather than addressing the pressing concerns of the people.
Jakhar invoked the compassion of Guru Maharaj, suggesting that redemption remains possible if the Akali Dal corrects its course. However, he warned that the recent actions have laid bare the party’s disconnect from its roots. “This defiance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s sanctity is not just a misstep—it is a wound inflicted on the heart of every Sikh,” he said.
Dismissing the Akali Dal’s allegations against the BJP as unfounded, Jakhar called on the party to confront its own shortcomings. “Before pointing fingers, the Akali Dal must answer for the questions swirling around it. Its leaders owe the people clarity about their actions,” he said. Only then, he added, should they presume to critique others.
Jakhar’s remarks underscore a growing rift, with the BJP positioning itself as a defender of Punjab’s collective conscience while urging the Akali Dal to reclaim its moral compass. As Punjab navigates turbulent times, the call for accountability and respect for sacred institutions resonates strongly.
