Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Faces Virtual Split

• The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faces a virtual split following the rebel faction announcing its new president.

• Former Akal Takht acting chief priest Giani Harpreet Singh is declared as the new president.

• The Akal Takht is the highest Sikh temporal seat.

• Rebels allege that the Akal Takht’s verdict of December 2, 2024, which awarded religious punishments to Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party leaders, was not implemented.

• Harpreet Singh was part of the Sikh clergy that issued the December 2, 2024 verdict.

• The faction’s claim to the party has sparked a war of words between SAD leaders.

• Senior SAD leaders Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal and Daljit Singh Cheema dubbed the faction as an “Agency Dal”.