Chandigarh, June 14: A senior delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) met with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at Lok Bhavan to present a comprehensive memorandum outlining urgent religious, agricultural, and economic issues affecting the state. The political group positioned the resolution of long-standing Panthic grievances as a central priority for the community. Among the key spiritual and judicial matters raised, the party called for the immediate establishment of fast-track courts to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents.
The memorandum further requested vital structural changes regarding the administration of Sikh institutions. The representatives stated that the recently enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, requires thorough revisions, asserting that any such legislative framework must only be finalized after proper consultation with established Sikh bodies. Additionally, the party noted that elections for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have been pending since 2011 and called for the immediate conduct of these democratic polls. The delegation also sought the release of eligible Sikh prisoners, referred to as ‘Bandi Singhs,’ who have already completed their respective prison terms.
On regional development and economic welfare, the leaders stated that Punjab deserves a special category status from the central government to recognize its deep historic contributions toward national security and food production. They affirmed that the state’s agricultural sector requires an immediate revival strategy, including a complete farm loan waiver, a legal guarantee for the minimum support price across diversified crop selections, and the reopening of the Attari-Wagah border to boost commercial trade. To support the rural workforce, the group requested debt waivers for landless laborers, the complete restoration of MGNREGA funding rules, and strict regulatory action against the black marketing or forced bundling of essential fertilizers. The visiting committee included prominent political figures such as Prem Singh Chandumajra, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Gobind Singh Longowal, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, and Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, who urged the Governor to facilitate an early dialogue with the union government.
