Amritsar, March 10 — The crisis within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over the removal of jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib escalated further, with the party’s working president, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, asserting that indiscipline “will not be tolerated at any cost.”
His remarks followed open dissent from several senior leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhbir Singh Badal’s brother-in-law, who criticized the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) interim committee’s March 7 decision to remove the jathedars.
While Bhunder did not name anyone directly, he made it clear that disciplinary action was imminent.
“No one is above the party. Everyone is free to express their views at the party forum, but violating party discipline will not be allowed. Statements and videos opposing the SGPC and SAD’s decisions are being referred to the disciplinary committee. Show-cause notices will be issued, and action will be taken based on merit,” he said after attending the party’s parliamentary board meeting.
The meeting was attended by senior leaders, including Gulzar Singh Ranike, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Heera Singh Gabria, and Daljit Singh Cheema.
A day earlier, Bhunder had accused Majithia of “backstabbing” the Badal family, particularly Sukhbir Singh Badal, who had supported him during his legal troubles in a drug-related case. Sukhbir has yet to comment on the unfolding developments.
The revolt within SAD’s leadership has been brewing since March 7, when the SGPC’s interim committee removed the jathedars.
The decision sparked outrage among senior leaders and former ministers, leading to resignations from several district units in Punjab and Haryana.
Political analysts believe Sukhbir Singh Badal now faces the challenge of maintaining control over the SGPC, which remains without a president following Harjinder Singh Dhami’s resignation amid the ongoing turmoil.
Despite Bhunder’s warnings, opposition within the party grew, with SAD leaders from Fatehgarh Sahib and Kharar openly rejecting the jathedar removals.
