Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi State celebrates 5th Foundation Day with impressive gathering
Thanful to Delhi Sangat for showing tremendous enthusiasm to obtain party membership; we will always remain grateful: Harmeet Singh Kalka, Jagdeep Singh Kahlon
We are the true heirs of the Akali Dal, not those who were responsible for sacrilege of Guru Maharaj: Kalka, Kahlon
Giani Harpreet Singh, Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa, Baljit Singh Daduwal, Jasbir Singh Rode, Tarlochan Singh and several other prominent personalities attend
Babushahi Network
New Delhi, August 26: The 5th Foundation Day of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi State was celebrated at Talkatora Stadium here, where a massive gathering of supporters and members of the Sikh community from across Delhi turned up in large numbers.
The event, held under the patronage of the party's national president and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka, and the Committee's General Secretary Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, witnessed extraordinary enthusiasm among the Sangat. Within no time, the entire Talkatora Stadium was packed to capacity.
Former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, Damdami Taksal head Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa, Giani Baljit Singh Daduwal from the Haryana Committee, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Ex MP Tarlochan Singh and several other eminent personalities attended the programme.
Among others present were party's Delhi State President M.P.S. Chadha, Senior Vice-President Harvinder Singh K.P., Shamsher Singh Sandhu, Ravinder Singh Khurana, Dharam Prachar Wing head Jaspreet Singh Karamsar, besides Committee office-bearers, members and a large number of prominent personalities.
Addressing the gathering, Sardar Harmeet Singh Kalka and Sardar Jagdeep Singh Kahlon said that the party was established five years ago, in 2022, after attempts were made by the then leadership of the Akali Dal to ignore the mandate given by the Sangat following the 2021 Delhi Gurdwara Committee elections. Angered by these attempts, the Sangat of Delhi, along with members of the Delhi Gurdwara Committee, came together to form this party.
They said there has been tremendous enthusiasm among the Delhi Sangat to obtain membership of the party, for which they would always remain grateful. They said it is because of the blessings and support of the Sangat that the party has remained firmly committed to every promise and resolution made at the time of its establishment.
They said it is also their responsibility to protect the Panth from those attacking it, and with the support of the Sangat, they have been fulfilling all these responsibilities.
They said that whether members of the Sikh community faced difficulties in Uttarakhand or any other issue arose concerning the community elsewhere, the party reached every place and fought firmly for the Panth. They added that they draw their strength from the Sangat, particularly from Panthic personalities.
Kalka and Kahlon said the purpose of establishing the party was to safeguard the principles and objectives for which their forefathers had founded the Shiromani Akali Dal through immense sacrifices in 1920.
They said, “Today, we can proudly say that we are the true heirs of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and not those who allowed sacrilege incidents to take place and destroyed the principles of the party.”
They further alleged that these very people had honoured Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler and others accused of the 1984 Sikh massacre.
They said it is because of the invaluable support of the Sangat that the team has not only carried out unprecedented work in the religious sphere under the Delhi Gurdwara Committee, but has also made significant contributions in healthcare, education, promotion and propagation of the Punjabi language, and social service.
They said that although the party was formed only a few years ago, the blessings of the Sangat have enabled it to emerge as a major force in Panthic politics in Delhi.
They said that, for the first time in the history of the Committee, the Shiromani Kirtaniye Award was introduced for the best Raagi Singh selected from among those performing Kirtan in the prescribed Raags recorded in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh.
Similarly, an award carrying a cash prize of Rs 1.25 lakh has also been introduced for a Raagi Singh selected from among the Raagis of the Delhi Committee.
They said the team established a free dialysis centre at Gurdwara Bala Sahib where there is no fee counter at all. It also started MRI and CT scan facilities for just Rs 50.
In addition, Bala Pritam pharmacies have been opened across Delhi, providing medicines at prices ranging from 10 to 90 per cent lower than market rates. The team has also introduced facilities including a PET scan machine for cancer diagnosis, a mammography machine and an endoscopy machine, and has now established a Cath Lab at Guru Harkrishan Medical Institute.
Earlier, a 50-bed hospital was also started at the Institute, where OPD facilities are available at a nominal fee.
The leaders said the team has also done remarkable work in the field of education, particularly for the promotion and propagation of the Punjabi language. A dedicated committee was formed and several initiatives were undertaken to connect students with their mother tongue.
Programmes such as Painti Akhri Lekhani Competition, Jeeve Maa Boli Punjabi, Noor-e-Punjabi, Safar-e-Punjabi, Rooh-e-Punjab and Punjabi Adhyapak Samman were organised.
They said one of the biggest initiatives was the organisation of Gurmat Camps during the summer vacations. Initially, around 4,000 students participated, followed by 8,000 and then 14,000 students. During the summer vacations of 2026, more than 20,000 students participated in these camps.