AAP calls Sukhbir Badal's 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' a political gimmick, accuses SAD of misleading Punjabis
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 17, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday launched a sharp attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, alleging that his announcement of a 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' was merely a political stunt aimed at misleading the people of Punjab.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu claimed that although Badal had announced nearly a month ago that the Akali Dal would launch the agitation on July 19 after offering Ardas at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the party had neither unveiled any programme nor made preparations for the proposed movement.
"The much-publicised Dharam Yudh Morcha now appears to have been quietly abandoned. Even the Akali Dal's recent core committee meeting did not discuss it," Pannu alleged.
Taking a swipe at the SAD chief, Pannu said Badal did not understand the significance of a "Dharam Yudh Morcha" and alleged that the announcement was made only to create political confrontation with the Bhagwant Mann government.
The AAP leader accused the Akali Dal of repeatedly misleading Punjabis and alleged that during its tenure from 2007 to 2017, the party failed to curb the drug menace and allowed narcotics to spread across the state.
Referring to the 2015 sacrilege incidents, Pannu alleged that the theft of the Guru Granth Sahib saroop, subsequent sacrilege cases, and the police firing at Behbal Kalan all occurred during the Akali Dal government. He further claimed that evidence related to the sacrilege cases was destroyed under the previous SAD regime.
Pannu also questioned Badal's recent call for justice in the sacrilege cases, alleging that the Akali Dal had failed to act when it was in power.
He further alleged that the Badal government had targeted the family of late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, claiming that cases were registered against Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra and other activists during successive SAD governments instead of establishing the promised "Truth Commission."
Questioning the seriousness of the proposed agitation, Pannu asked why the Akali Dal had not announced its strategy, leadership or programme despite repeatedly claiming that the Dharam Yudh Morcha would begin on July 19.
Concluding his remarks, Pannu alleged that the Badal family had focused on expanding its political and personal influence while in power rather than addressing the concerns of the people of Punjab.