CHANDIGARH: In a desperate attempt to bounce back in public perception, particularly among the Sikhs, the beleaguered Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday announced holding a public rally at Muktsar on January 14, on the occasion of Maghi Mela as a show of strength and to mobilise cadres.
Apart from other leaders, Sukhbir Singh Badal, who tendered his resignation from the party's top post as president in November last year, will also deliver an address during the rally. Vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema made the party's decision public by posting on micro-blogging site X. Terming the event a 'massive' annual Akali conference, he wrote, "Preparations (for the rally) have been started to make this event a success. All senior leaders of SAD will attend."
Cheema confirmed that Sukhbir will also address the rally.
This will be the first public event for Sukhbir Badal and other party leaders who performed sewa as part of tankhah (religious punishment) awarded by Akal Takht for the mistakes committed by the party and its government from 2007 to 2017.
Maghi has a strong religious connotation and is an important event for the religion-driven party SAD as the event commemorates the martyrdom of 40 muktas (Sikhs) who fought for tenth master Guru Gobind Singh.
"Sukhbir Badal is expected to explain the narrative that he has accepted the Takht's verdict in a true spirit as a humble Sikh," said a party leader on anonymity. Also
This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Punjab.
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This story is from the January 03, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Punjab.
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