Akali Dal Renews Apology Over Sacrilege Issue

GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 21st Aug: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has once again apologised for the sacrilege incident that occurred during the previous SAD-BJP government, while launching a fresh political attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress over their handling of similar cases in Punjab.

Addressing a political conference in Sangrur on the death anniversary of Akali stalwart Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, Harsimrat Kaur said the party deeply regretted the sacrilege incident that took place during its tenure.

“Unfortunately, one incident of sacrilege happened during our tenure and we are very sorry for it,” she said, adding that the Akali Dal remained committed to ensuring those responsible were brought to justice.

The former Union Minister, however, questioned the AAP-led Punjab government over the reported rise in sacrilege incidents during the past decade. She asked what action had been taken in more than 600 such cases and reminded the ruling party of its election promise to deliver justice in sacrilege-related cases within four months of assuming office.

The renewed apology comes as the Akali Dal attempts to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The sacrilege controversy was widely regarded as one of the principal reasons behind the party’s defeat in the 2017 Assembly elections and its continued electoral struggles in 2022.

During the previous SAD-BJP government’s tenure, the sacrilege incidents triggered widespread protests and public anger across Punjab, significantly damaging the party’s political standing.

In contrast, the Akali Dal has argued that despite ongoing controversies under the Bhagwant Mann government, including sacrilege-related issues and the alleged video controversy involving the Chief Minister, the ruling AAP has not faced a similar scale of public backlash.

Political observers view Harsimrat Kaur’s remarks as part of the Akali Dal’s strategy to shift the focus from its past record to the performance of successive governments, particularly the AAP administration.

The party appears to be seeking political accountability from all governments on the sensitive issue, while attempting to move beyond the electoral baggage that has weighed on it since 2017.

With the Punjab Assembly elections approaching in 2027, the sacrilege issue is expected to remain one of the state’s most politically sensitive subjects, with major parties likely to continue using it as a key campaign plank.