The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working committee on Friday formally accepted Sukhbir Singh Badal’s resignation as the party president, marking a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the party and the Akal Takht. The decision follows a strong stance taken by the Akal Takht Jathedar during a meeting with SAD leaders earlier this week, where he criticized the delay in implementing his directions for the party’s reorganization. SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema announced the acceptance of the resignation after the committee’s meeting.
The SAD had previously contended that its status as a political party registered under the Constitution required it to maintain a secular framework, which they argued could conflict with following directives from the Akal Takht. However, the party eventually bowed to the pressure from the supreme temporal seat of Sikhism. Sukhbir Singh Badal had ceased active leadership of the SAD on August 30, 2022, transferring responsibilities to the working committee under Balwinder Singh Bhundar.
On November 16 of the same year, Badal formally resigned from the presidency, reportedly ahead of facing religious reprimand from the Akal Takht. This development underscores the growing influence of the Akal Takht in guiding the SAD’s organizational decisions, further intertwining religious and political dynamics within the party.