Opinion | Punjab And Its Discontents: How The Akali Factions Are Faring

Updated: Jun 10, 2026 18:19 pm IST Published On Jun 10, 2026 18:11 pm IST Last Updated On Jun 10, 2026 18:19 pm IST

Published On Jun 10, 2026 18:11 pm IST

Last Updated On Jun 10, 2026 18:19 pm IST

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is one of India's oldest regional parties, founded in 1920 and almost as old as the RSS. For over a century, it has been deeply connected with Punjab's political, religious and social history. In contrast to many regional parties that emerged around personalities or electoral issues, SAD was born out of a mass movement and built its legitimacy through struggle and sacrifice.

The party played a historic role in the Gurudwara Reform Movement, participated in the freedom struggle, led the Punjabi Suba agitation, and emerged as the principal political voice of Sikh aspirations. During the Emergency, Akali leaders were among the strongest defenders of democratic rights. For decades, SAD positioned itself as the champion of Punjab's federal rights, Sikh interests, and farmers' concerns, giving it a stature far beyond electoral politics.

Electorally, SAD has been one of Punjab's most successful parties, forming governments multiple times and producing towering leaders such as Parkash Singh Badal, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, etc. Its long alliance with the BJP has often been cited as a successful model of Hindu-Sikh camaraderie and social harmony after the turmoil of the 80s. Together, the alliance dominated Punjab politics for nearly two decades. However, since 2015, the party has witnessed a dramatic decline.

A  number of reasons were behind this decline. Akali Dal's electoral success was based upon pragmatism and ruthless use of money and power, which led to a number of mafias - land, sand, transport, drugs, cable - dominating the party. Ideology and the old........

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