Badal's close aide Virsa Singh Valtoha laucnhes vilification campaign against Sikh high priests
CHANDIGARH: Sukhbir Singh Badal president of Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) who is facing wrath of Sikh community and the five high priests understood to have committed another political blunder by putting his aide Virsa Singh Vatoha to confront Sikh clergy and questioning the authority of Akal Takht.
Virsa Singh Valtoha former MLA had on Monday appeared before the Sikh high priests after he was summoned to authenticate his allegations against the high priests. Valtoha had alleged that Sikh high priests were working under RSS and BJP to expell Sukhbir Badal from SAD. He said that BJP wanted to weaken SAD. He also reportedly confronted Sikh high priests during his meeting with them.
Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh has alleged that Valtoha came to his residence to threaten him which is unacceptable. He has ordered SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar to expel Valtoha from party for ten years. Subsequently Valtoha announced he had volunteered to resign from the party.
It is believed that Valtoha was pitted by Sukhbir Badal to preempt any move by Sikh high priests from taking any stringent action against Sukhbir Badal. Sukhbir Badal was declared Tankhahia by the Sikh clergy for his anti-Sikh actions during SAD rule in Punjab. The rebel Akalis had submitted a complaint to Akal Takhat blaming Sukhbir Badal for series of sacrilege cases of Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab during Parkash Singh Badal rule. Sukhbir Was home minister and Deputy CM in the Badal government.
The rebel Akalis led by Sukhbdev Singh Dhindsa and Prem Singh Chandumajra beside others had alleged that Sukhbir Badal was instrumental in granting pardon to dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh who was excommunicated by Akal Takht on blasphemy allegations. Dera Chief had attired like Guru Gobind Singh but Badal government allowed him to go Scot free. Sukhbir Badal was also held responsible for appointing infaous cop Sumedh Singh Saini as Punjab DGP and not taking action in Behbal Kalan police firing on Sikhs protestors.
Sukhbir Badal had already submitted his rejoinder to Akal Takht and sought apology from Sikh panth for all the sins and mistakes committed by him. The Aal Takht Jathedar is yet to take call on action against Sukhbir Badal. It was in this context that Valtoha was given the task to confront and defame Sikh high priests to prevent any punitive action against Sukhbir Badal.
Though Sukhbir Badal had claimed that he had resigned from SAD president's post and Balwinder Singh Bhundar was appointed working president, in practice Sukhbir Badal is holding the position of power in the party. The rebel Akali leaders were demanding resignation of Sukhbir Badal to save the party after party's defeat in 2022 assembly elections, Lok Sabha poll and Jalandhar bye-election where party andidate lost his deposit. SAD could win only three seats in the assembly poll and one seat in Lok Sabha polls.
Challenging the authority of Akal Takht at this juncture is another political blunder committed by Sukhbir Badal to save his skin. The action by Sukhbir Badal might further isolate the SAD from Sikh masses. The people of Punjab had not forgiven him for the previous blunders and Sikhs distanced from the Akali Dal. Sukhbir was not ready to give up his position in the SAD and planting Valtoha to launch vilification campaign against Sikh high priests.