In no mood to correct historic wrongs, Akali Dal keeps centenary function low-profile

—The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Badal) in no mood to correct historic wrongs kept its centenary function low-profile at Akal Takht Sahib today making an excuse that “the ongoing farmers’ agitation would suffer if the function is held on large scale”, thereby missing an opportunity to energize its rank and file.

The party leaders led by president Sukhbir Badal gathered at Akal Takht Sahib to attend the bhog of Akhand Path Sahib organized by the party to mark the 100^th foundation day. It seems that they have come here to do just formality. None of them delivered any speech on the occasion. Nor the senior party leadership gave the party cadre any programe for the future. It is being said in the Sikh circles that they could organize the function at Manji Sahib Diwan hall in the complex of Sri Harmandar Sahib after the bhog ceremony at Takht Sahib, but they did not do so.

The way Sukhbir responded to the media queries during the interaction suggested that he wants to uphold the status quo in the party which is touching new lows presently.

When asked about the party’s non-activity to achieve the aim enshrined in Anandpur Sahib resolution that advocates decentralization of powers in India, he said, “We started demanding real federal structure in India 20-25 years ago as per this resolution and now other states have started raising this demand”. While saying so, he did not seem to be aware of the fact that the resolution came into existence in 1973 and was adopted by the Akali Dal in 1978. Dharam Yudh Morcha was also launched on the basis of this resolution. Demand for the real federal structure is being raised by some other states for a long time.

“The party functions used to be organized in Manji Sahib Diwan Hall before the Akali Dal headquarters shifted from the Darbar Sahib complex to a posh office in Chandigarh. Would the party apologise to the Panth and the farmers and reset the priorities? The documents of the Akali Dal used to be historic. Not any more for the last two decades. It was missing again today. Its 100^th anniversary fails to produce any inspirational agenda”, said veteran journalist Jagtar Singh in his column.

Even, Giani Harpreet Singh, SGPC-appointed acting jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, kept himself away from the event. In his absence, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh presented Sukbir a siropa (robe of honour). Giani Harpreet Singh, invited criticism of Sikh bodies for favouring the SAD (B) while addressing the function organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to mark its 100th foundation day a month ago.

Earlier, the SAD (B) planned a three-day function at Sri Anandpur Sahib, but cancelled making the same excuse. The Party spokesperson claimed that it was the start of the centennial celebrations, but the main day of the centenary passed off without any festivity.