Akal Takht Panel Calls Punjabis to Join SAD at Golden Temple on March 18

A five-member panel formed by the Akal Takht to elect new leaders for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has invited Punjabis to gather at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on March 18 to become members of the party.

Manpreet Ayali, speaking for the panel, announced that the membership drive would start on Tuesday. Other panel members include Gurpartap Wadala, Santa Umaidpuri, Satwant Kaur, and Iqbal Jhunda. Ayali urged Sikhs, Punjabis, and Panth supporters to visit the Golden Temple at 11 AM, where the membership process will begin after ‘ardaas’ (prayer).

However, the SAD leadership is opposing this move. The party had already started its own membership drive on January 20. SAD spokesperson Daljit Cheema warned that conducting a separate membership drive under the party’s name could lead to legal issues. He stated that SAD is a registered party, and only authorized officials can admit members.

Meanwhile, SAD claims that over 32 lakh people have already joined the party through its official membership drive. The party’s organizational elections are also scheduled for March 18.