Sidhu attacks current Akali leadership at function to remember Master Tara Singh

“Selfless leaders like Master Tara Singh would continue to rule the hearts of the people. I thank CM Captain Amarinder Singh for organising this event. Master Tara Singh always put the interests of panth above his own,” Sidhu said.

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu at the function in Amritsar on Saturday. (Photo: Rana Simranjit Singh)

The first state-level function organised here Saturday by the new Congress government in the state to celebrate the birth anniversary of late Master Tara Singh, one of the tallest leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, provided another opportunity to Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu to attack the current Akali leadership, which he said had diluted the Akali character over the years.

The demand for the memorial had come from Kiranjot Kaur, the maternal grand-daughter of Master Tara Singh and a SAD member of the SGPC, who had met Captain Amarinder Singh during his first visit to Amritsar after becoming the CM earlier this year.

Though Kiranjot did not attend the function organised by the Congress government due to her political affiliation with SAD, her sister Jaspreet Kaur was present.

Speaking at the function, Sidhu said, “The city of Amritsar would soon see a memorial dedicated to Master Tara Singh, which would inspire future generations to remain imbued with the sense of sacrifice for the sake of the country. The memorial would be constructed as per the wishes and at the place chosen by the family members of Master Tara Singh.”

“Selfless leaders like Master Tara Singh would continue to rule the hearts of the people. I thank CM Captain Amarinder Singh for organising this event. Master Tara Singh always put the interests of panth above his own,” Sidhu said.

“When I see the Akalis of today in the Vidhan Sabha, I feel like arguing with them. But I feel like touching the feet of and bowing before selfless leaders like Master Tara Singh. The current lot of Akali leaders suffer from moral degradation,” he said.

Despite being in SAD, Kiranjot Kaur agreed with Sidhu. Talking to The Indian Express, she said, “It is true that every member of Akali Dal was supposed to be baptised Sikh at the time of Master Tara Singh. But then they changed constitution of party in late 90s and it was no more a party of Sikhs. Anyone could become its member. So moral degradation was obvious in the character of Akalis.”

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“I had requested CM Amarinder Singh to install the statue of Master Tara Singh in the campus of partition museum on Heritage Street. The previous SAD government had passed resolution in 2016 to set up memorial. I am hopeful that present Congress will respect that resolution,” she said.

“It is true that SAD failed to set up memorial for Master Tara Singh all these years despite remaining in power. SAD used to celebrate birth anniversary of Master Tara Singh in the past, but practice was stopped many years back,” said Kiranjot Kaur. At the function on Saturday, Jaspreet Kaur shared the contribution made by the great leader during freedom movement, Gurudwara reform movement and Punjabi Suba movement.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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