Sarbat Khalsa 2015 Organizers Distance Over Khalistan Issue

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—During a TV interview, president of the United Akali Dal, Bhai Mohkam Singh stated that his party was the plaintiff of the welfare of Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabi Culture. He has stated that his party was committed to achieve demands portrayed in the ‘Resolution of Anandpur Sahib’ but the establishment of the Sikh sovereign state ‘Khalistan’ was not in their manifesto.

Commenting on the ideological differences with S. Simranjit Singh Mann over the Khalistan issue, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda have said that they respect the contribution made by S. Simranjit Singh Mann but their working for the Sikh cause was different from S. Mann.

Bhai Mohkam Singh has been facing sharp criticism from the Sikh masses for his anti-Khalistan statement. A sharp increase of negative comments have been seen against Bhai Mohkam Singh on social media.

During a press conference at Hotel Pankaj of Chandigarh on May 5, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), S. Simranjit Singh Mann, lashed out at Bhai Mohkam Singh for changing his stance over the issue of Khalistan. He said that it was very unfortunate that Bhai Mohkam Singh has forgotten the sacrifice made by Baba Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale and has accepted Gandhi as his patron. 

Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda of United Akali Dal told Sikh24 that “while there are differences over Khalistan issue, we are still steadfast and will work together for Sarbat Khalsa 2016”.  The United Akali Dal and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) had led the efforts for Sarbat Khalsa 2015 at village Chabba last year.  A number of leaders from both parties were arrested, including S. Simranjit Singh Mann, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Gurdeep Singh Bathinda under “sedition charges”.  Growing rifts within both organizations have now cast doubts over their ability to organize Sarbat Khalsa 2016 later this year.