Akali Dal launches Dharam Yudh Morcha on July 19 to oust Punjab CM Mann
Synopsis
The Shiromani Akali Dal has invoked Sri Akal Takht Sahib's spiritual patronage to launch a Dharam Yudh Morcha on 19 July against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann — escalating a religious-political confrontation that now draws in a January 2024 gurdwara firing verdict and allegations from Mann's own family. Sukhbir Badal is betting on a cross-party, cross-faith coalition to force Mann out.
Key Takeaways
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced a Dharam Yudh Morcha on 18 June , to be launched from Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 19 July .
The morcha demands the removal of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann , declared guilty of 'heinous sacrilege' by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
SAD President Sukhbir Badal announced Akali legislators will boycott the Punjab Vidhan Sabha until Mann resigns or is removed.
A five-member coordination panel headed by Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder will mobilise support across religious and political groups.
Badal cited a prior January 2024 Sri Akal Takht Sahib verdict against Mann over a police firing at Sultanpur Lodhi gurdwara .
The appeal extends to Sikh leaders within AAP , Congress , and BJP to join the morcha.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday, 18 June announced the launch of a 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' from Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 19 July, demanding the removal of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who the party says has been declared guilty of 'committing heinous sacrilege' against the Sikh faith. The morcha will operate under the Chhattar Chhaya — the overall spiritual patronage — of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
What SAD Has Announced
SAD President Sukhbir Badal told reporters that Chief Minister Mann's actions against the Guru Sahiban and revered Sikh figures were 'intolerable' and that the devout Sikh community's patience had been exhausted. Badal declared that Akali legislators would boycott the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for as long as Mann remains in office.
Badal has constituted a five-member coordination panel to mobilise support for the morcha. The panel is headed by senior Akali leader Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder and includes Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Daljit Singh Cheema, and Amarjit Singh Chawla.
The Allegations Against Mann
Badal alleged that Mann's own family members, including his daughter, had accused him of visiting Sikh shrines in an inebriated state, thereby violating their sanctity. He further claimed that Mann had brought disrepute to the Sikh community through his conduct in both Parliament and the Vidhan Sabha.
Notably, this is not the first time Sri Akal Takht Sahib has taken a position against Mann. In January 2024, Mann was reportedly declared guilty by Sri Akal Takht Sahib in connection with a police firing incident at the Sultanpur Lodhi gurdwara.
Cross-Party Appeal
Badal has appealed to a broad coalition — including religious organisations, Sant Samaj, Sikh scholars, intellectuals, and socio-religious bodies — to join the Dharam Yudh Morcha. Significantly, he also called upon Sikh leaders within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Indian National Congress (Congress), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to set aside party lines and participate in what he described as a collective stand against a 'Guru Dokhi and Panth Virodhi' chief minister.
What Comes Next
The coordination panel is expected to meet stakeholders across Punjab in the coming weeks ahead of the 19 July launch date. The morcha marks a significant escalation in opposition pressure on the AAP government in Punjab, and its scale will depend on how many religious and political constituencies heed Badal's cross-party call. The AAP government has not publicly responded to the announcement as of the time of reporting.
Point of View
Making it harder for Sikh leaders in AAP, Congress, and BJP to publicly refuse participation without risking community backlash. Sukhbir Badal's SAD has been electorally diminished in Punjab, and the Dharam Yudh framing is a bid to reclaim moral authority it lost well before AAP's 2022 landslide. The January 2024 Sultanpur Lodhi verdict gives the morcha a prior institutional anchor, but the critical question is whether Sri Akal Takht Sahib's formal backing will materialise or whether Badal is front-running that endorsement. Without genuine cross-party participation, this risks being a well-branded opposition rally rather than the pan-Panth movement it aspires to be.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dharam Yudh Morcha announced by SAD?
It is a mass protest movement announced by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to be launched from Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 19 July, demanding the removal of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over allegations of sacrilege against the Sikh faith. The morcha will operate under the spiritual patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Why is Sukhbir Badal demanding CM Bhagwant Mann's removal?
SAD President Sukhbir Badal alleges that Mann committed 'heinous sacrilege' against the Guru Sahiban and revered Sikh figures, and that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had previously declared him guilty. Badal also cited allegations from Mann's own family that he visited Sikh shrines in an inebriated state.
What is the Sultanpur Lodhi gurdwara case involving Bhagwant Mann?
In January 2024, Sri Akal Takht Sahib reportedly declared CM Bhagwant Mann guilty in connection with a police firing incident at the Sultanpur Lodhi gurdwara. SAD has cited this prior verdict as part of its case for Mann's removal.
Will Akali legislators attend the Punjab Vidhan Sabha?
No. SAD President Sukhbir Badal declared that Akali legislators would boycott the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for as long as Bhagwant Mann remains Chief Minister.
Who has been asked to join the Dharam Yudh Morcha?
Badal has appealed to religious organisations, Sant Samaj, Sikh scholars, and socio-religious bodies, as well as Sikh leaders within AAP, Congress, and BJP, to join the morcha. A five-member coordination panel headed by Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhunder will reach out to potential participants.
