KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Radical Sikh leaders and supporters of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh floated a new regional political outfit, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), during a conference at the Maghi Mela here on Tuesday.
Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of one of the two assassins of former PM Indira Gandhi, and Tarsem Singh, father of the jailed MP, were among those present at the conference.
Amritpal, who is currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act (NSA), was declared the “chief sewadar” of the party. A five-member executive committee, comprising Khalsa,
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Tarsem Singh, Amarbir Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Surjit Singh, has been formed to oversee the party’s operations over the next three months. Formal elections to pick the office-bearers will take place at Takht Damdama Sahib on Baisakhi.
A seven-member recruitment committee has also been announced to spearhead a membership drive. Members recruited during this period will elect delegates, who will subsequently choose the office-bearers during the Baisakhi celebrations.
The party name, which was initially proposed as “Shiromani Akali Dal (Anandpur Sahib)”, was finalised after an approval from the Election Commission of India (EC). Another name submitted for consideration was “Akali Dal (Khalsa Veer)”.
“Though our first preference was SAD (Anandpur Sahib), we went with the option approved by the EC,” said Khalsa while speaking to The Tribune.
Tarsem Singh said the new party sought to revive and adhere to the Miri-Piri concept — integrating Sikh political and spiritual principles. He accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of deviating from these principals.
The party passed a 15-point resolution — Shri Muktsar Sahib Declaration —calling for the boycott of SAD leaders for failing to comply with the December 2 directives of the Akal Takht.
The resolution expressed concern over Punjab’s changing demography and proposed strong measures to address the issue, advocating a renewed commitment to Sikh principles and community welfare.
During the membership drive, the party will identify potential candidates for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections. The resolution called for fighting the drug menace in the state by strengthening people’s bond with religion and restricting the “old and colonial” police system.