Breaking a tradition that has been followed since 2018, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) has decided to organise a political conference during the upcoming Holla Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib.
Confirming the development, party spokesperson Prem Singh Chandumajra said the breakaway faction of SAD (Badal) has finalised plans to hold a political rally during the three-day religious event.
He stated that the party has already selected a site along the Anandpur Sahib–Kiratpur Sahib main road for the proposed conference.
Political conferences during Holla Mohalla had largely ceased after 2018, when Sikh high priests advised political parties to refrain from mudslinging and political attacks during the sacred festival associated with the birth of the Khalsa.
Since then, major parties across Punjab have avoided holding formal rallies during the celebrations.
However, Chandumajra maintained that there was no formal edict prohibiting political gatherings.
“The Sikh high priests had only advised against mudslinging and personal attacks. They never issued a ban on political conferences. Holla Mohalla itself has deep political roots in Sikh history,” he said.
So far, no other political party has announced plans to organise a rally during this year’s celebrations.
A senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from Ropar said he had not received any communication from the party regarding such an event.
Similarly, Ropar district Congress president Ashwani Sharma stated that the Congress has not organised political conferences during Holla Mohalla since 2018 and there has been no indication of a change in that position this year.
Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) also denied any information about holding a rally during the festival.
Holla Mohalla, which will be held from February 27 to March 3 this year, traditionally draws lakhs of devotees from across Punjab and other parts of the country.
The massive congregation historically provided political parties with a ready audience to deliver speeches and outline their agendas. Before 2018, it was common for major parties to hold parallel political conferences at Anandpur Sahib, often addressing issues concerning Punjab, Sikh affairs, and national politics.
The tradition of holding political conferences during Holla Mohalla dates back several decades. The Shiromani Akali Dal and other regional parties frequently used the occasion to pass resolutions on panthic and political matters.
These conferences sometimes shaped significant political narratives in Punjab, especially during periods of agrarian movements, federal autonomy debates, and Sikh religious reforms.
However, increasing political rivalry and sharp exchanges during such events prompted religious authorities to advise restraint.