Shiromani Akali Dal rebels establish office in Amritsar

In Amritsar, the tensions within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) are escalating. Just four days into a membership drive launched by a committee formed by the Akal Takht, rebel members of the party have established their own office in the city. This move suggests a likely split within the party. Bibi Jagir Kaur, a former president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), led the opening ceremony. Notably, none of the committee members attended the event. The membership drive, initiated on March 18, 2025, aligns with directives from Sikh leaders. Kaur expressed that there is a strong interest among the public to join the movement, indicating a high demand for membership slips. She urged people to view SAD as a broader organization and not just linked to the Badal family. Kaur criticized SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, suggesting his recent actions regarding his resignation were part of a theatrical scenario. She questioned what had changed since his initial moral stance, implying that he had prioritized personal relations over community issues. Additionally, Kaur announced plans for the rebels to propose a resolution during the SGPC's upcoming meeting. This resolution aims to reverse decisions regarding key religious leaders. Bhai Ranjit Singh, another leading figure among the rebels, mentioned that the group had been operating from home and will now have a proper office near Golden Gate. He stated that they have already signed up 1.2 million new members. In a related note, Kaur commented on Amritpal Singh, an MP recently released from prison, suggesting he should address important issues affecting Punjab instead of returning to local politics.