Chandigarh- Giani Harpreet Singh, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal punar surjit, stated in a written press release that a prayer will be offered at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on August 11, marking one year since the revival of the Panth’s regional political party, the Shiromani Akali Dal.
He said that the prayer will be dedicated to the release of the Bandi Singhs. He stated that Sikh youths who have been imprisoned for a long period are still not being released, even after growing old in prisons.
He further said that the most unfortunate situation is that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has been in prison for the past 31 years and has spent 19 years on death row, yet the Central Government has still not taken a decision regarding his case. He also said that Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara’s mother is elderly, but Bhai Hawara has not even been granted parole to meet her. At the same time, he alleged that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, whom he described as convicted of rape and murder, is released from prison on parole several times a year.
“We will oppose this injustice by the governments and, along with that, we will pray before Guru Hargobind Sahib, the Master of Miri-Piri and the true Patshah known as Bandi Chhor, asking Him to secure the release of these warriors and bless this Panthic organisation with the strength to continue raising its voice on every front for their release until they are freed and return to their homes, ” he said.
Giving historical details, Giani Harpreet Singh said that the Shiromani Akali Dal came into existence on December 14, 1920, under the guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He said that, in order to remove the shortcomings and malpractices that had developed over time, Sri Akal Takht Sahib intervened again on December 2, 2024, and directed that the organisation be revived.
In accordance with those directives, a five-member committee carried out the membership process, and through a democratic general session held on August 11, 2025, he was elected as president.
Therefore, on the first anniversary of the revived Shiromani Akali Dal functioning under the guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, prayers will be offered at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to express gratitude to Guru Hargobind Sahib Patshah and to appeal before Bandi Chhor Patshah for the release of the Bandi Singhs.
For this sincere cause, he extended an open invitation to all party office-bearers, delegates, district presidents, workers, supporters and members of the general Sikh sangat. He asked everyone to reach the Information Centre in front of Sri Darbar Sahib at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. From there, the gathering will proceed in the form of a jatha to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where a collective prayer will be offered for the Chardi Kala of the Panth, Punjab and the organisation, as well as for the release of the imprisoned Singhs.
After the prayer ceremony, a meeting of all office-bearers and district presidents of the organisation will be held at the party office at 2:00 p.m., where decisions regarding the organisation’s upcoming programmes will be taken.