Akali Surjit Singh

Before initiating to become a Singh of the Budha Dal, Surjit Singh had done service with Punjab Police forces. Baba ji also served years in the Indian armed forces where they saw intense fighting, They were renowned to be a skilled marksmen who had killed many enemies in battle. After finishing their service, they were initiated into the Dal in 1972 through the Khalsa ceremony of Amrit Sanchar. They stayed and did seva with the dal for nearly four decades, heading the Chakarvati Dal at some points during their time.[2]

In 2005, Akali Santa Singh with their worsening health declared Jathedar Sahib as the next head of the Budha Dal (It is important to note that all significant Jathebandis were present when Jathedar Baba Surjit Singh Ji was made next Jathedar but none of them was not present at Balbir's coronation). However, some people claim that another Singh of the Dal known as Balbir Singh (Jathedar to some) the nephew of Jathedar Santa Singh was chosen as the successor.

Subsequently, during the time, Balbir Singh using his political power got Baba Surjit Singh Ji arrested and kept in jail for a short period until their release in response to protests by Nihangs. This dispute has led to the many divisions in Budha Dal today with different factions claiming their own Jathedars.[3]

After the death of Akali Santa Singh in 2008, the Dastarbandi ceremonies were conducted for both Akali Baba Surjit Singh Ji 96 Crori and Balbir Singh by different factions of the dal. Almost all jathebandis and singhs suppourted Baba Surjit Singh ji Akali while some organizations suppourted balbir (including the SGPC and the Akali Dal) After this ceremony, Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Surjit Singh ji received the title "Panth Patshah". In the following year, Jathedar Sahib along with 22 other Singhs of the Dal was arrested under false charges made by Balbir and sentenced to be put in Patiala Jail under the authority of the corrupt Punjab Police. During their sentence, they had organized more than 40 Akhand Paaths in jail. Baba Surjit Singh ji continued there great service even in jail many of the prisoners and police officers became inspired by baba ji and many took amrit after that. In many suspicious and malicious circumstances such as in 2011, Baba Ji fell ill. [4]

On September 3, 2014, Jathedar Sahib passed away at the age of 69 and their Antim Sanskar were performed at a Gurdwara Sahib near Bathinda. Baba Ji had chosen Akali Joginder Singh as the Karajkari Jathedar (temporary chief who would take charge on his behalf while he was in jail). However, despite having been given temporary authority, this caused some controversy as later on, Akali Joginder Singh gave Balbir Jathedari in order to avoid having been sent to jail like Baba Surjit Singh. As a result of this, while Akali Joginder Singh was in the UK, Akali Prem Singh was chosen as the successor to be the next Jathedar of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal via the Panth. This decision further led the Dal into 3 factions.[5]