Chandigarh/IBNS: In a remark potent enough to stir a row, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has claimed Muslims are not equal because of an absence of a leader unlike the Sikhs, media reports said.

Badal made the comment while he was slamming Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant questioning his authenticity as a Sikh.

Badal said as quoted by NDTV, "I do not consider him (Bhagwant Mann) a Sikh. He wears a turban to show that he is a Sikh. He does not know the history of Sikhs. We feel sad when we see him and hear his statements."

"The population of Muslims in the country is about 18 per cent but they have no leadership because they are not united. We are 2 per cent but we are united under Sri Akal Takht Sahib," he added.

Urging his community to stay united, he said, "I appeal to all of you not to be divided and remain united...Shiromani Akali Dal will establish party units in all the states..."

Badal has alleged that the Punjab government is run by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is the chief of Aam Aadmi Party, that runs the state as well as in the national capital.

A similar allegation was raised against AAP after Kejriwal in 2022 held a meeting with Punjab officials in absence of Mann, who became Chief Minister after his party registered a landslide victory.

The Opposition had back then accused Kejriwal of "remote-controlling" the north Indian state.

In 2022, AAP came to power for the inaugural time winning 92 of 117 seats uninstalling the Congress government. The Congress had managed to win only 18 seats.