Relief for Badal faction as SAD (Amritsar) objects to Akal Takht panel formed for reorganisation

“On May 1, 1994, the Amritsar Declaration was made under the initiative of the then Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Professor Manjit Singh. This was a sincere effort to bring together various Panthic factions under a common cause and was essential for the larger interests of the Panth (Sikh community),” said Simranjit Singh.

SAD (Amritsar) emerged following the ‘Amritsar Declaration’ of 1994. Most Akali factions and leaders, such as Amarinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Simranjit Singh Mann, and Surjit Singh Barnala, signed the declaration on May 1, 1994, under the guidance of Akal Takht. The Parkash Singh Badal faction, however, was not part of it. The declaration proclaimed that India needed to be restructured with a confederal constitution. However, the popularity of SAD (Amritsar) declined, and soon after, Mann was the only notable name left in the party as other leaders drifted away.

Advocate Simranjit Singh, in the statement, said, “Subsequently, considering the prevailing circumstances of the Sikh community, the Jathedars made some decisions on December 2, 2024. One of these decisions was about Panthic unity. However, while discussing Panthic unity, the focus was only on the unity of two factions, SAD(B) and its rebels, which is incorrect. Two political factions alone cannot represent the entire Sikh Panth. Not only that, but once Sri Akal Takht Sahib has already made a decision regarding Panthic unity in 1994, then instead of taking it forward, issuing a fresh directive is unjustified.”

He said, “At present, the committee formed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib includes half its members who do not fully adhere to Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct), and some are non-Amritdhari (Sikhs who have not undergone the Amrit initiation). How can non-Amritdhari individuals be included in a committee formed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib?”

“Moreover, these individuals are falsely promoting themselves as the sole faction which has support of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is completely wrong. Akal Takht Jathedar must immediately put a stop to this. Therefore, Akal Takht Jatehdar should review this matter and promote Panthic unity in the light of the Amritsar Declaration of May 1, 1994. A petition regarding this matter will soon be submitted to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he said.