Dal Khalsa took a swipe at the BJP for its Hindu-supremacist core ideology and condemned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the kind of 'opportunistic politics' it has displayed over the years.

The occasion was of Hola Mohalla (March 6, 04) at Anandpur Sahib, where senior leaders of the group minced no words in terming the proposed Bharat Uday Yatra of L K Advani, so-called iron-man of the BJP, as a move by Fascist people to terrorize minorities. At the same time, they declared their dream for a 'sovereign rule' for Sikhs and resolve to safeguard Sikh institutions and values. Speakers after speaker expressed concern over the increased influx of migrant labour in Punjab to disturb the demographic chart of the state. They call on all the Sikhs to be more vigilant against the schemes of the enemies of the Panth. Attacking Mr Badal and his coterie for corrupting the Sikh polity, they blamed SAD under Badal for virtually failing to take the community forward.

Taking a dig at traditional Akali leadership for luring the voters with immoral and foul means, the key speaker of the conference H S Dhami said that time has come when Sikhs should opt for young alternative leadership that could unite the Sikhs on ideological lines.

Mr Dhami hailed the efforts of Col. (retd) G S Sandhu, who has launched crusade against the infamous police cat Nihang Ajit Singh Poohla. Pointing a finger towards certain high-ranking police officials and politicians who were shielding Poohla in lieu of the extra-judicial killings Poohla did on their instructions at the time of militancy, Dal Khalsa leader said that Poohla's hands were dipped in the blood of many innocent people. He said that a strong political will was needed to crush the terror machinery of Poohla like it was done in the case of Jagdish Tangri of Shiv Sena. He assured that Dal Khalsa would support the movement launched by Poohla Eviction Committee led Col Sandhu to free the people from the terror of Poohla.

Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, who was a guest speaker, came down heavily on SAD leadership. Hitting out at them for relinquishing Amritsar LS seat to the BJP, Mr Panjoli said that the decision of the SAD tantamount to leaving the Sikh electorate at the mercy of the BJP and Congress. A former president of the Youth Akali Dal said the present leadership of the SAD has deviated from its original mission and has instead stuck an alliance with the party who has hawkish approach towards aspirations of regional parties.

While speaking on the occasion, Kanwar Pal Singh said that as elections to Lok Sabha and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was due for this year, "we (the electorate) should not get swayed by allurement policies of the political parties" and added that instead "we should judge the candidates by their work, conduct and deeds". "It's time to show the door to those who have been promoting self-interest at the cost of Sikh interest", advised kanwar Pal, who is general secretary of the organization.

Terming the move as a ploy to exploit Hindu sentiments, another senior leader of the organization, he said proposed Rath Yatra of L K Advani was meant to propagate Hindutva brand of politics. He reminded all minorities how Ram Rath Yatra of Advani in 1990 left a trail of blood in the country. He asked the Akalis to explain their position on Advani's recent remarks asking the voters "not to vote for regional parties".

Prominent amongst those who spoke from the Dal Khalsa stage were Advocate Dalbir Singh Bath, Iqbal Singh Mann, Balraj Singh Rayya, Dr Arpal Singh, Subedar Baldev Singh, Dr Manjinder Singh, Shinder Pal Singh and Sarbjit Singh Ghuman.