Giani Harpreet Singh Becomes President of SAD Splinter Group

quick Summary

• Event: Giani Harpreet Singh was elected president of the breakaway faction of the shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on August 11, 2025, at a delegate session held in Amritsar, Punjab.
• Leadership:

– Satwant Kaur was elected as chairperson of the Panthic council within this faction.
– Ms.Kaur is the daughter of Amrik Singh, killed during Operation Bluestar in 1984.

• Context:

– The Akal Takht-appointed committee supervised this reorganization following a mandate given in December last year to restructure SAD leadership and hold elections within six months.

• Past Actions:

– In December 2024, Giani Harpreet Singh was part of Sikh clergy that declared SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for party actions between 2007-2017 under its regime.

• Parallel Activity:

– SAD under Sukhbir Badal initiated its own membership drive earlier this year despite criticism from rebel leaders and defiance of Akal Takht directives.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The election of Giani Harpreet Singh as president signals ideological divisions within the Shiromani Akali Dal-a trend which may reshape political dynamics for Punjab’s Sikh community. The involvement and backing by an Akal Takht-appointed committee point to notable institutional support for consolidating reforms after historic concerns about misgovernance under previous leadership. However,parallel efforts by Sukhbir Singh badal’s SAD could lead to amplified internal schisms or competition between factions.

Ms. Satwant Kaur’s appointment as chairperson also centers past narratives tied to operation Bluestar and Panthic priorities among Sikhs. This breakaway group’s role ahead will likely depend on whether it can form viable connections wiht other stakeholders or remain constrained by these past divides.

Political observers might watch closely how such organizational splits influence both community sentiments and broader representation in Punjab politics moving forward-especially with competing drives towards legitimacy across factions.

Read more: The Hindu