sukhbir-badal-seeks-akal-takht-s-forgiveness

Sukhbir Singh Badal, chief of the Shiromani Akali Dal, has sought "unconditional forgiveness" for all mistakes committed during the party's rule from 2007 to 2017, in a written explanation to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. 

 

"Whatever has been written against us, I present myself before the great throne of the Guru, seeking unconditional forgiveness from 'Guru Sahib' and 'Guru Panth'. Whether these mistakes are from the party or the government, I am seeking forgiveness for all these mistakes, which took place knowingly or unknowingly," Badal said.

 

Badal's letter, submitted on July 24, comes after rebel leaders accused him of four mistakes, including failure to punish those responsible for 2015 sacrilege incidents and pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case.

 

The Akal Takht Secretariat will convene a meeting to discuss Badal's letter, with five Singh Sahibans (Sikh high priests) set to take a call on the matter.

Badal's explanation follows allegations levelled by rebel leaders, including former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and ex-SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, who sought forgiveness for the party's mistakes during its rule.

 

A section of party leaders had revolted against Badal, asking him to step down as party chief following the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab.

 

In his letter, Badal took responsibility for the mistakes, seeking forgiveness for all errors, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly.

 

He also attached a copy of an October 2015 letter written by his father, Parkash Singh Badal, to the Akal Takht, regarding tragic incidents that took place in Punjab from 2007 to 2015.

 

The rebel leaders had criticized Badal for appointing Sumedh Singh Saini as director general of police and spending nearly Rs 90 lakh on newspaper advertisements to justify the decision to pardon the Dera chief.