Sher-e-Punjab Dal

Sher-e-Punjab Dal is a political party announced by Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, a former Hazoori Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib and kirtaniya. He announced it at the Chandigarh Press Club on the 185th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Yes Punjab reported it on 28 June 2024.

Background: in September 2015 Wadala was transferred from Sri Darbar Sahib to a gurdwara in Jind, Haryana, after protesting the SGPC's appointment of a chief secretary. He leads the Sikh Sadbhawna Dal. Sikh Siyasat News reported in March 2016 that the SGPC had suspended him, and that the Dal held a conference at Anandpur Sahib on 22 March 2016 calling for a movement to reform gurdwara administration.

Platform as announced: Wadala named the disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the conversion of free sarais into commercial hotels, alleged scams over leftover langar food and drug addiction among youth. He said Punjab needed a regional party because Congress, Akali-BJP and AAP governments had neglected Punjab and the Panth. Yes Punjab reports him saying that the Shiromani Akali Dal had become a party solely focused on gaining power for the family. The aims listed were:

• immediate and unconditional release of Sikh prisoners;
• freeing the SGPC from all factions;
• justice in sacrilege cases, including the 328 saroops;
• relief on drugs, unemployment, debt, water, health, education and agriculture;
• repeal of laws the party considers unjust to farmers, journalists and intellectuals; and
• unity among Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities.

Office-bearers named at the launch included Punjab president Bhai Joginder Singh. The structure, constitution and manifesto were to be announced by the end of July 2024.

Key moments

• 7 December 2025: Punjab Police registered an FIR against 16 people in the 328 saroops case. The Tribune says the Sikh Sadbhawna Dal and other groups had protested on Heritage Street for five years for a fair probe. On 18 December Wadala told Sikh Siyasat News he was satisfied with the FIR. The SGPC has said the case is political interference in Sikh affairs.

Where it stands: the reports found do not show any election contested by the party or any change in its structure since the launch.