India, March 18 -- The Akal Takht-constituted five-member panel on Tuesday launched the Shiromani Akali Dal recruitment drive after offering ardas (prayer) at the highest Sikh temporal seat in the Golden Temple complex in the presence of rebel SAD leaders.

The ardas was recited by Giani Harpreet Singh, who was part of the December 2 hukamnama (Sikh decree) issued by the Panj Singh Sahiban (Sikh clergy) as Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar and was sacked by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee executive panel on February 10.

Led by the panel, comprising Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri and Satwant Kaur, the rebel Akali leaders gathered at the Akal Takht. Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, a...