Akali Dal accepts Badal's resignation as party head

Key charges against Badal Failure to curb 2015 sacrilege • The case pertains to the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in a gurdwara in Faridkot on Oct 12, 2015 • The former Badal-led government has been accused of failing to control the desecration Action taken August 30, 2024: Akal Takht declares Badal 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for his alleged mistakes committed by the SAD and its govt November 16: Badal resigns from the post of SAD president December 2: Badal apologises; Akal Takht orders him to perform 10-day sewa December 3: Badal begins his penance at the Golden Temple January 10, 2025: SAD working committee accepts Sukhbir's resignation Pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Badal's government has been accused of pardoning Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case

- Gurpreet Singh Nibber

CHANDIGARH: The working committee of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday accepted the resignation of Sukhbir Singh Badal as party president, marking the first time since 1993 that the party will not be helmed by the Badal family. Badal had tendered his resignation on November 16.

Balwinder Singh Bhundar, the party's second most senior leader who has been serving as working president since Badal's resignation, will continue in the role until a new leadership structure is formed.

The development comes after the Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs - pronounced tankah (religious punishment) on Badal on December 2 last year for atonement of mistakes committed during the SAD-BJP government's tenure from 2007-12 and 2012-17.

The Akal Takht had directed the SAD working committee to accept Badal's resignation and initiate party reorganisation within six months through a membership drive and election of office bearers.