Maghi Mela in Muktsar: Political Color Returns as Launch of Pro-Khalistan Leader’s Party Draws Near.This includes Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab, the venue of annual Maghi Mela, held to commemorate the martyrdom of 40 Sikh soldiers who were brutally killed by the Mughal forces in 1705 while fighting against the latter in the Battle of Muktsar. Traditionally considered as religious congregations, these events were often used to further political goals and set the tone for state politics.
In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce political conferences at the mela and refocus on its religious essence. However, this year’s mela is witnessing renewed political interest with the anticipated launch of a new political party by pro-Khalistan leader and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh. Currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, Amritpal contested and won the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent.
The new party will be declared formally on 14 January on a “Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao” rally to be addressed by Amritpal’s father Tarsem Singh and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of one of the assassins of Indira Gandhi. Apart from declaring a new party, the rally is also going to unveil an organisational committee aimed at laying its foundation.
This political development has come when Shiromani Akali Dal, once the single most powerful player in Punjab’s politics, seems to be going down in fortunes. The party was unable to recover its position and influence among the Sikhs, especially after the sacrilege case of 2015 and various reprimands from the Akal Takht-the supreme temporal authority for Sikhs. Recently, former SAD president Sukhbir Badal was penalized for actions violating the Sikh code during his tenure as deputy chief minister, after which he resigned and had to go through a much-needed transformation of the party leadership. The emergence of Amritpal and Khalsa leaders who have struck the Akali Dal’s traditional Sikh vote bank is seen as a significant indicator of changing the political winds in Punjab. Yet, at the same time, Amritpal has been behind bars since March 2023, with his custody extended up to 2025, leaving a new party without a robust base to build a credible alternative.
Despite the changing political landscape, it is likely that SAD would be present during the mela while other parties such as the ruling AAP and Congress, might give a complete miss.
