A day after Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh summoned him to explain allegations within 15 days, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal stated on Tuesday that he would appear before the Akal Takht as a devout Sikh.

SAD members dominate the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which appoints the Jathedar at Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, selected by Sukhbir, actively campaigned for the Akali Dal in the recent Punjab Lok Sabha elections, where the party faced significant losses.

In these multi-cornered polls, SAD, contesting separately from its former ally BJP, managed to secure only one seat—Bathinda, retained by Harsimrat Kaur, wife of Sukhbir—out of 13. The Congress won seven seats, AAP three, and two were taken by Independent candidates—radical preacher Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa (son of Indira Gandhi assassin Beant Singh) from Faridkot.

The intricate dynamics between SAD, SGPC, and Akal Takht appear pivotal amid the current crisis in Akali politics.

Days after the Lok Sabha polls, several rebel SAD leaders—including ex-SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, ex-ministers Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Surjit Singh Rakhra, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, and Sucha Singh Chhotepur—appeared before Akal Takht in Amritsar on July 1. They sought forgiveness for past mistakes that led to public disillusionment with the party during its Punjab rule from 2007 to 2017. They also submitted a letter to the Jathedar, blaming Sukhbir for decisions that harmed the party.

Among the issues raised, their letter referenced the 2015 sacrilege incidents, stating that the then SAD government failed to ensure justice for those responsible. They accused Sukhbir of using his influence to secure a pardon for Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who had been accused of imitating Guru Gobind Singh.

The rebels also criticized the SAD government for appointing Sumedh Singh Saini as DGP, known for alleged fake encounters of Sikh youths. They pointed out that another officer, associated with such killings, was given a party ticket and made a chief parliamentary secretary.

These dissenting voices within SAD have emerged in response to decisions made during Sukhbir’s leadership, despite their silence at the time. Jagir Kaur, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, and Parminder Singh Dhindsa previously rebelled against SAD leadership following electoral setbacks, only to return before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Dhindsa father-son duo, denied a party ticket from Sangrur by Sukhbir, were also disappointed. Jagir Kaur aspired to reclaim the SGPC president’s post in 2022 but was overlooked in favor of Dhami.

After leaving SAD a few years ago, the Dhindsa family attempted to mobilize party dissidents but faced defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections, prompting their return before the Lok Sabha polls.

Prominent SAD leaders Prem Singh Chandumajra and Gurpartap Singh Wadala publicly criticized Sukhbir for the first time after the party’s 2024 electoral debacle. Sucha Singh Chhotepur, once with AAP, also joined SAD before the 2022 elections, contributing to public discontent against the party.

SAD leader Surjit Singh Rakhra voiced his opposition to Sukhbir’s leadership for the first time. Another dissident, Sikander Singh Maluka, twice penalized by Akal Takht for religious code violations in the last decade, supported BJP’s candidate against Harsimrat Badal in the 2024 Bathinda polls and praised PM Narendra Modi.

The crisis in SAD now turns to Akal Takht, where Sikh community issues are addressed. With rebel SAD leaders bringing political turmoil to Akal Takht, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh’s response will be closely watched.

The pardon granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim by Akal Takht in 2015 remains significant. SAD leadership denied interference in Akal Takht’s decisions, despite allegations of Sukhbir’s involvement in the matter. Former Jathedar Gurbachan Singh faced criticism for granting the pardon.

All eyes are on Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh’s handling of accusations against Sukhbir. His decision not to name Sukhbir while seeking clarification has sparked controversy.

Despite electoral setbacks, Sukhbir relies on SAD’s organizational strength, contrasting with splinter groups. However, repeated failures in SAD’s electoral strategy challenge the party and Sukhbir’s leadership.

SAD dissidents blame Sukhbir for party failures, raising concerns that Panthic vote banks may fragment. Observers question whether Sukhbir can rejuvenate SAD or if new leaders will emerge in Akali politics.