Sunil Jakhar, Sukhbir Badal, Sunil Jakhar Akal Takht, Sunil Jakhar Sukhbir Badal Tankhaiya: Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar a few days back fired a tweet pleading Akal Takht to protect the future of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Sunil Jakhar's tweet extending his support to SAD came in the backdrop after the Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal was declared Tankhaiya (guilty of violating Sikh religious code) on August 29 by Akal Takht for the 'mistakes he made as deputy CM from 2007-2017 and the decisions he took that deeply harmed the image of the panth and caused damage to Sikh interests'.
Jakhar emphasized that while accountability and introspection are necessary for SAD’s leaders, especially for any historical wrongdoings, these actions must be balanced carefully. He acknowledged that the Akal Takht has a role to ensure that individuals within the party are held accountable for past missteps and face appropriate consequences, or “tankhaiya” (punishments). However, he warned that these disciplinary actions should not be so harsh that they disrupt the Akali Dal’s organizational stability or diminish its legacy as the country’s second-oldest political party representing Sikh interests.
Now, the question arises, why has Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar appealed in favour of Sukhbir Badal despite the fact that SAD has slammed the BJP on multiple occasions?
Jakhar's tweet emphasizes that he has tweeted 'as a Punjabi'. Hence, one of the reasons why Jakhar has extended his support to Badal is to establish himself as a Punjabi leader. Jakhar's tweet in support of SAD portrays that the Punjab BJP Chief can go beyond party lines. While the SAD-BJP enjoyed a coalition in the past, its alliance broke after the Modi Government introduced the three controversial farm laws that are now repealed.
Sunil Jakhar is a big name in the Punjab politics. He is a top face of the Hindu-Jaat Community. After Captain Amarinder stepped down as CM of Punjab, many Congress leaders saw Jakhar as the potential CM candidate. However, not being a Sikh, Congress High Command did not crown him as CM of Punjab. Instead of Jakhar, Congress went with Charanjit Singh Channi.
Furthermore, multiple reports have surfaced in the past that have outlined Sunil Jakhar's inactivity with the BJP. In fact, once it was also reported that Sunil Jakhar has resigned as Punjab BJP Chief. However, the BJP denied such reports. Recently, Sunil Jakhar received PM Modi when he arrived in Chandigarh for a meeting. Then, a photo of Jakhar with PM Modi was also released. The photo portrayed that Jakhar has got the support of BJP High Command. Still, Jakhar has remained inactive in the ByElections in Punjab for the BJP.
Read what Sunil Jakhar wrote for Sukhbir Badal and SAD