Chandigarh | Updated: June 30, 2026
Giani Harpreet Singh, president of the breakaway Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) and former Jathedar of the Akal Takht, has taken a swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal leaders over AAP MLAs’ appearance before the Akal Takht.
His reaction came after Aam Aadmi Party MLAs appeared before the Akal Takht on Monday over the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Giani Harpreet Singh criticized SAD leaders for what he called their contradictory stand on the authority of the Akal Takht. He referred to the controversy that followed Akal Takht directives issued on December 2, 2024, when SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal was summoned over alleged religious misconduct during the party’s 2007-2017 rule.
Taking a dig at SAD leaders, Giani Harpreet Singh said he was thankful that AAP did not have legal advisers like those in the Shiromani Akali Dal.
He said SAD leaders had earlier argued that political parties could not comply with certain Akal Takht directives because of constitutional and Election Commission provisions.
He further said that if leaders such as Daljit Singh Cheema, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, and Parmjeet Singh Sarna had been advising AAP, they would have claimed that the party’s MLAs could not appear before Akal Takht due to possible constitutional complications or the risk of affecting party recognition.
Giani Harpreet Singh also said such leaders would have questioned how the Akal Takht could direct an elected government to repeal or amend a law.
In a sarcastic remark, he advised AAP to induct leaders like Daljit Cheema, Maheshinder Grewal, and Sarna into the party, saying their legal expertise could prove useful in such situations.
Daljit Singh Cheema, Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Parmjeet Singh Sarna are considered close to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and are often seen advising the party during difficult political phases. Cheema is regarded as the party’s key legal strategist, while Grewal is known as a loyalist of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Sarna is considered an experienced political troubleshooter.
On December 2, 2024, the then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had formed a seven-member committee and directed the Shiromani Akali Dal to begin its membership drive.
In response, Cheema had argued that allowing an independent committee formed on Akal Takht’s directions to conduct the membership drive would violate the Indian Constitution and Election Commission rules.
On January 8, 2025, Daljit Singh Cheema, Parmjeet Singh Sarna and other SAD leaders met Giani Raghbir Singh and reiterated that an independent committee could not legally conduct the party’s recruitment or membership drive.
Cheema had also claimed at a separate press conference that the proposal for an independent membership committee was part of a conspiracy to get the Shiromani Akali Dal’s official recognition cancelled.
However, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, who was part of the committee constituted by Akal Takht, and others, including former Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, had rejected the claims. They described the objections as baseless and an excuse by the Shiromani Akali Dal to avoid the membership drive.
