The Panthic Council, a decision-making body established by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) — a breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — has issued a call for unity among all Panthic groups as the state prepares for Assembly elections due in 2027. The council convened a gathering at Gurdwara Reru Sahib in Sahnewal on Monday, describing it as the 'first step' toward forming a common platform aimed at preserving Punjabi language and culture, or 'Punjabiat'.
Leadership Weakness and the Need for a Common Platform
Bibi Satwant Kaur, chairperson of the council, presided over the event and emphasized that growing factionalism has significantly weakened Panthic leadership. 'The leadership has become weak. It needs to be strong as there are tough times. The Panth should be primary for us and for that, we need a common platform,' she stated. Her remarks underscored the urgency of consolidating disparate Sikh political entities to address pressing challenges facing the community and the state.
Outreach to Other Panthic Groups
Iqbal Singh Jhunda, a council member, outlined the group's strategy to approach all Panthic factions, including SAD (Amritsar) and Waris Punjab De. 'We will request everyone to fight as a unit for the cause of the minorities and the downtrodden. We will invite those who can set aside their personal and party interests to bow before the Guru and come under a common umbrella of the Akal Takht,' he said. This inclusive approach aims to transcend individual and political ambitions in favor of collective action under the spiritual authority of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism.
Urgent Concerns: Sikh Prisoners, Minority Rights, and Lawlessness
Jhunda highlighted several critical issues that demand immediate attention. 'Nobody is really concerned about Punjab today. The release of Sikh prisoners needs urgent attention. The interests of the minorities are being ignored. Drugs are free for all and lawlessness has reached its peak. At this stage, our unity is not just a need, it is the only solution,' he asserted. These statements reflect a deep concern over the state's deteriorating social fabric, including the proliferation of drug abuse and a perceived breakdown of law and order, which the council believes can only be addressed through a unified Panthic front.
Goal of an Equitable Society
The council's vision extends beyond political consolidation to the establishment of a society where all citizens are treated as equals. By rallying Panthic groups around common causes — such as minority rights, the release of Sikh prisoners, and the revitalization of Punjabi culture — the Panthic Council aims to create a broad-based movement that can influence policy and governance in Punjab. The gathering at Gurdwara Reru Sahib marks the beginning of what the council hopes will be a sustained effort to forge unity among Sikh political entities ahead of the 2027 elections.
