ANANDPUR SAHIB: Bowing to pressure even from within the party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal became an 'amritdari' (baptised) Sikh on Wednesday. He got himself baptised by partaking 'Amrit' (holy water) at Takht Keshgarh Sahib in this historic town, which is the birthplace of the 'Khalsa'.

The junior Badal, son of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, arrived here at 7 am and went to Takht Keshgarh Sahib, where he partook 'Amrit' from the 'Panj Piaras' (five beloved ones). He also paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum, where Takht Jathedar, Giani Tarlochan Singh, presented him with a 'siropa'. He also listened to 'Gurbani Kirtan' for some time. 
 
Sukhbir's visit to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib was kept a secret. As word spread about his arrival, several local SAD leaders, civil and police officials also arrived. By becoming a baptised Sikh, Sukhbir Badal has met an important condition laid down by the constitution of the Shiromani Akali Dal, which says that only a baptised Sikh could be the president of the party.
 
Sukhbir has been facing criticism from leaders of rival factions of the Akali Dal and other Sikh organisations for not getting himself baptised after becoming President of SAD last year. Even leaders of his own party, including Punjab Minister for Cooperation Capt Kanwaljit Singh, and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, had advised him to get himself baptised.
 
Sukhbir took over the reins of SAD from his father, who himself is a baptised Sikh. Interestingly, Sukhbir's wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal is not yet baptised. According to 'rahet maryada', if the husband is baptised wife too should be a baptised Sikh.