Sukhdev Dhindsa invokes history to start debate on Akali movement

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 16

Senior Punjab leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa today invoked master Tara Singh and other senior Sikh leaders to announce the “Safar-e-Akali Lehar” to mark the centenary of the Akali movement. Dubbed as “forum for discussion”, it will be conducted in New Delhi on Saturday and is aimed at telling the history of the Akali movement since its formation in 1920.

Dhindsa, a Rajya Sabha member, and his son Parminder, were suspended by the SAD last Sunday for “anti-party activities”.

A poster released to announce the “Safar-e-Akali Lehar” has an image of Master Tara Singh as the central focus. Master Tara Singh has steered the Sikh community towards the Indian Union after the British created Pakistan in 1947. It was Master Tara Singh who had entered into negotiations with Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel for the future of the Sikhs in India, while Mohammed Ali Jinnah had offered the Sikhs to stay back in newly created Pakistan.

Dhindsa’s poster also has pictures of Akhand Kirtani Jatha chief of the 1920s Bhai Randhir Singh; Baba Kharak Singh (president of the Akali Dal in 1921) and Darshan Singh Pheruman who died in 1969 following a fast unto death to resolve the issue of handing back Chandigarh and including Punjabi-speaking areas in Punjab. The state was trifurcated in 1966.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dhindsa said, “We are trying to unite well-known Sikh families that are angry with SAD and the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal.” Some of the long-standing Akali sympathising families would be honoured at the function.

Sikhs want the Akali Dal to be run in a democratic way, said Dhindsa. “We will be working to invite all those who have left the Akali Dal to come and join us.”

The Delhi-based “Jago Party” today went to the home of Prem Singh Chandumajra to invite him for the programme on January 18. Chandumajra is with the Badal-led SAD.

‘Disgruntled SAD leaders approaching us’

Sangrur: Rebel SAD leader Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Thursday claimed he and his father Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had been getting good response from several disgruntled Akali leaders across the state. He said this at his first public meeting in his segment Lehragaga on Thursday after he opened a front against SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Parminder claimed he and his father had been receiving calls from several disgruntled leaders and all had offered support to them. tns