The Akal Takht-appointed committee overseeing the membership drive of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced on Sunday that the process will conclude on June 18.
According to the committee, approximately 26 lakh membership slips have been distributed across Punjab and other states. Of these, around 6 lakh slips have been received back so far, and the verification process is currently underway.
The committee, constituted on December 2, 2023, to supervise the membership drive, formally launched the initiative on March 18 this year with an ardaas (prayer) ceremony at the Akal Takht in Amritsar.
The seven-member panel, headed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, was formed as part of the Akal Takht’s directives issued while pronouncing religious penalty against SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.
“In about two months, we have received tremendous response from Punjab and other states. In foreign countries, we have started the drive and people have been welcoming and are becoming members in large numbers,” said Manpreet Singh Ayali, who is playing an active role in the drive.
Other members of the committee are Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Iqbal Singh Jhoondan, Bibi Satwant Kaur and Santa Singh Umaidpur. Two members of the committee, including Dhami, who was made head of the committee, and former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, have since resigned from the committee, after which five members took charge.
“We will draw an analysis on June 19, as to how many slips (membership forms) were circulated and how many have been received back. If the need arises, we may extend the drive, and we will take a decision a day after analysis,” Ayali added.
He said the five-member committee is making a panthic platform for the sake of Punjab, and anyone can join. “We are working for unity in the panth and will also make sure that the people of the religions are safe and prosper,” said Ayali on being asked that appeals are being issued from different quarters as that also from SAD led by Sukhbir Singh Badal for panthic unity.
Not joining SAD: Dhindsa refutes reports
Meanwhile, former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa refuted the reports that he is joining Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He emphasised that the reports are completely baseless and defamatory.
In a statement, Dhindsa clarified that he has no plans to rejoin the party and said such claims are entirely unfounded. He further added that his late father, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa — who passed away two weeks ago — had always envisioned a strong and united SAD, but that should not be misinterpreted as a sign of his own political intentions.
“However, the party could never be strong under Sukhbir Badal’s leadership,” he said, affirming his commitment to strengthening the SAD to fulfil his father’s vision.
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