Sukhbir Badal warns 1980s-era forces active again in Punjab
Synopsis
At Malout, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal invoked Punjab's bloodiest decade — the 1980s — to warn that the same forces behind political assassinations of that era are back, now disguised as religious figures. His direct attack on jailed MP Amritpal Singh and CM Bhagwant Mann signals SAD is fighting a two-front political battle for its survival as Punjab's only major regional party.
Key Takeaways
Sukhbir Badal launched the second phase of SAD's Punjab Bachao campaign at Malout on 26 August .
He alleged that forces behind the assassinations of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and Bhai Shaminder Singh have re-emerged under new identities.
Badal accused jailed MP Amritpal Singh of violating Sikh rehat maryada and seeking to revive 1980s-era turmoil in Punjab.
He alleged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited religious sites while intoxicated — an unverified claim the government has not addressed.
Badal claimed the coordinated campaign against SAD was backed by 'agencies and Delhi-based parties' aiming to eliminate Punjab's only regional party.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday, 26 August warned that the same destabilising forces that shattered Punjab's peace during the 1980s had resurfaced, this time operating under the cover of religious identity. Launching the second phase of SAD's Punjab Bachao campaign at a public meeting in Malout, Badal declared he was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the party's foundational commitment to peace and communal harmony.
Key Allegations at Malout Rally
Badal alleged that those responsible for the assassinations of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and Bhai Shaminder Singh, and the attack on Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had re-emerged under new identities. 'If we do not do this, they will do to you what they have done to me. They will loot your houses and our Gurughar. They will usher in gunda raj and destroy the state,' he warned the gathering, urging people to unite against these elements.
Badal Targets Amritpal Singh
SAD's president trained his sharpest criticism on jailed MP Amritpal Singh, asserting that Amritpal sought to drag Punjab back to the turmoil of the 1980s when, Badal said, no one was safe. He questioned how someone who reportedly returned from Dubai as a clean-shaven youth could reinvent himself as Punjab's political 'heir.' Badal also accused Amritpal of violating Sikh rehat maryada, citing the alleged use of Guru Granth Sahib as a shield during a protest march, and raised questions about his credibility in light of his brother's alleged drug addiction.
Attack on CM Bhagwant Mann and Congress
Badal also levelled serious charges against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging he had visited the Bargari dharna site and Damdama Sahib while under the influence of alcohol — a claim the government has not publicly responded to. He criticised Mann's government for passing what he described as an anti-sacrilege law that ran against Sikh maryada, and alleged that no other party had challenged it. 'This shows all these elements are ganging up against SAD but have nothing to say against Bhagwant Mann or even the Congress party which attacked Sri Darbar Sahib,' Badal said.
SAD's Broader Political Warning
Badal claimed the coordinated effort was aimed at eliminating SAD as Punjab's only regional party, alleging that the individuals involved were 'stooges of agencies and Delhi-based parties.' He also addressed critics of the Badal family directly, arguing that divisive elements were hostile to SAD precisely because the party was blocking attempts to disturb communal peace and capture religious institutions' donations. This comes amid a period of sustained political pressure on SAD following its poor performance in recent state elections and ongoing internal accountability debates within the party.
With the Punjab Bachao campaign now in its second phase, all eyes are on whether SAD can consolidate its traditional Sikh voter base ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
Not merely a historical warning — it frames every rival, from Amritpal Singh to the Aam Aadmi Party, as an existential threat to Sikh institutions, a framing that has historically mobilised SAD's core base. But the strategy carries risk: SAD itself is navigating an accountability crisis, and Badal's own religious penance earlier this year acknowledged past party failures. Targeting a jailed MP with a growing grassroots following, while simultaneously attacking a sitting chief minister, suggests SAD is fighting on too many fronts. The real question is whether the Punjab Bachao campaign can rebuild trust among Sikh voters who have already once abandoned the party at the ballot box.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SAD Punjab Bachao campaign?
The Punjab Bachao ('Save Punjab') campaign is a political outreach initiative by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) aimed at consolidating support among Punjabis by warning against what the party describes as destabilising forces threatening the state's peace and communal harmony. Its second phase was launched at Malout on 26 August.
Who is Amritpal Singh and why did Sukhbir Badal attack him?
Amritpal Singh is a jailed Member of Parliament who rose to prominence as a Sikh activist after returning from Dubai. Badal accused him of seeking to revive 1980s-era unrest in Punjab, violating Sikh rehat maryada, and lacking the credibility to position himself as Punjab's political heir.
What allegations did Badal make against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann?
Badal alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the Bargari dharna site and Damdama Sahib while under the influence of alcohol. He also criticised Mann's government for passing an anti-sacrilege law that Badal claimed was contrary to Sikh maryada. The state government has not publicly responded to these allegations.
Why does Sukhbir Badal say SAD is being targeted?
Badal claims that SAD, as Punjab's only regional party, is being targeted by a coalition of 'agencies and Delhi-based parties' who want to capture religious institutions and disturb communal peace. He argues that divisive elements are hostile to SAD because the party has historically blocked such attempts.
What is the historical significance of the 1980s reference in Badal's speech?
The 1980s were a period of severe militancy and political violence in Punjab, during which prominent leaders including Sant Harchand Singh Longowal were assassinated. By invoking this era, Badal sought to frame current political opponents as a comparable threat to Punjab's stability and Sikh institutions.
