On SAD's 103rd foundation day, party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal offers apology, says '2015 sacrilege cases...' | Watch Video
PTC Web Desk: Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief, on Thursday issued a heartfelt apology during the party's 103rd foundation day celebration in Amritsar, Punjab. He expressed remorse for the "failure" to apprehend the perpetrators involved in the 2015 sacrilege cases when his party governed Punjab in alliance with the BJP.
In a solemn gesture at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest seat of Sikh authority, Sukhbir Singh Badal sought forgiveness from Khalsa Panth for the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji during the SAD government's tenure. He deeply regretted their inability to thwart the "conspiracies" that led to transferring the investigation to the CBI.
Submitting myself to the Guru's will in the precinct of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest religio-temporal seat of the Sikh quom, I sincerely and unconditionally seek forgiveness of the Khalsa Panth that heinous act of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji happened during Akali… pic.twitter.com/3mKoP4tDmf — Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 14, 2023
Sukhbir Singh Badal conveyed his profound sadness that despite their efforts in the remaining tenure, they couldn't capture and penalise the culprits. He acknowledged the painful impact these events had on both his life and that of his father, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal.
During the SAD's 10-year rule from 2007, under Parkash Badal's leadership as Chief Minister, the party faced criticism on various fronts, notably the desecration incidents of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 and the death of two protesters.
In an effort to consolidate Khalsa Panth, the SAD chief urged former party members to reunite for a collective cause, stressing that only a united front could counter the substantial challenges posed by adversaries of the Panth and Punjab.
Subsequently, in response to his appeal, two prominent former leaders, Des Raj Dhugga and Jasvir Singh Ghuman, along with their supporters, re-joined the party after having earlier switched to the Samyukt Akali Dal, as confirmed by the party.
- With inputs from our correspondent
