CHANDIGARH: Large number of senior leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal(Badal) including senior Akali leader and former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia have opposed the SGPC decision of expelling Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.
Beside score of other senior Akali leaders of Punjab, the entire leadership of SAD(Badal) Harhana unit have submitted their resignations from the party in protest against unceremonial removal of Giani Raghbir Singh who had on December 2 last declared Sukhbir Singh Badal a Tankhayia and ordered him to resign from the post of party president for committing sins against the Sikh community.
Bikram Singh Majithia, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and Lakhbir Singh Lodhinanagal senior leaders of Majha in a press release said that they couldn't agree with the decision of SGPC executive committee. Majithia and other SAD leaders said that he was deeply hurt with the decision of SGPC. They said that SAD shall go ahead forgetting differences and unity is the need of the hour.
Lodhinangal later said that they were kept in dark about the decision of removing Akal Takht Jathedar. He said that Akal Takht is supreme seat of Sikh and humiliating the Jathedar is very unfortunate. He said that maintaining honour of Akal Takhat is most important for Sikhs. He said that he was in favour of unity as directed by the Akal Takht Jathedar.
Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that they can't tolerate the insult of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat. He said that they were committed to Akal Takht and respect the Jathedars.
Majithia is brother in law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, his sister Harsimrat Kaur is married to Sukhbir Badal. The statement by Bikram Singh Majithia is considered significant as he also stated that they need to run the affairs of party smoothly with the support of rebel Akali leaders. It is mentioned that some of senior SAD leaders led by Gurpartap Singh Wadala had formed 'Sudhar Lehar' and complained to Akal Takht against Sukhbir Badal.
The Sudhar Lehar leaders have also expressed deep anguish over decision to remove Giani Raghbir Singh. They blamed Sukhbir Badal for using Akal Takht for his personal political motives.
Manjit Singh Ayali another senior SAD leader and member of seven member committee formed by Akal Takht has strongly condemned the decision of removing Giani Raghbir Singh.
SGPC had earlier removed Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Dadama Sahib. He was also acting Jathedar of Akal Takhat before appointment if Giani Raghbir Singh. Giani Harpreet Singh has also condemned he action of SGPC executive committee. He alleged that Jathedars were removed to get favourable decision for Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The faction led by Sukhbir Singh Badal was not ready to implement the Akal Takht decision to conduct party membership under a seven member committee appointed by Jathedar. SAD had conducted its separate membership drive which was opposed by Akal Takht Jathedar.