Badal seeks ‘forgiveness’ from Akal Takht jathedar

In a written explanation to Akal Takht jathedar, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has sought “unconditional forgiveness” for “all mistakes” committed when the party was in power. The Akal Takht Secretariat in Amritsar released a copy of the letter that Badal submitted to Giani Raghbir Singh, the Akal Takht jathedar on the rebel leaders’ accusations, on July 24. An Akal Takht Secretariat official said five Singh Sahibans (Sikh high priests) would call a meeting in the coming days to take a call on Badal’s letter. Badal submitted his explanation after the jathedar asked him to appear in person before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, following allegations levelled by the rebel leaders. A section of party leaders revolted against Badal, asking him to step down as party chief following the party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab.