Badal (Muktsar), May 4, 2023 (YEs Punjab News)
In an emotion choked but befitting homage to the late Sardar Parkash Singh Badal at a massive public gathering for Antim Ardas for the patriarch’s departed soul, the SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal today reached out to the hearts and souls of the people, especially the devout Sikh masses, seeking forgiveness for “whatever mistakes may have been committed, inadvertently or otherwise in the past”.
In an unprecedented gesture of profound and spontaneous humility, Sukhbir Singh said, “I and my family owe an irrepayable debt of gratitude to the Panth and Punjabis across the world, for the overflowing love and support we have received during these tough days filling me with boundless humility.
This sacred bond with the Sangat tells me to seek forgiveness for whatever mistakes may ever have been committed at any time in the past by me, my party or anyone in our family. The Sangat has always been and shall always remain supreme for us, and we always trust and submit to the highest grace of the great Guru Sahiban and Shri Guru Granth Sahib,” said Mr Badal as he stressed the need to uphold the values his father worked day and night to uphold.
The Akali Dal president choked several times, overcome by bouts of pain. “I know I am hardly worthy of the unmatched and historic elegance of the legacy of Badal Sahib but I give you this solemn and sacred “vachan”” (commitment) that every minute and every breath of my life I will dedicate myself to earning and deserving this legacy.” In what appeared to be a symphony of ideological and religious touch to politics, the Akali president’s speech was marked by repeated reference to “Khalsa Panth, Panthic values, Punjab, Punjabiat and nationalism.
“I promise the Khalsa Panth, the people of Punjab and the country that I will strive day and night for upholding the ideals placed before us by the great Guru Sahiban through the most sacred Shri Guru Granth Sahib. These ideals spring from a deep and unswerving commitment to Seva (service) and to the concept of “Spiritual Secularism” as contained in the concept of Sarbat da Bhala. Punjabis have always lived by and taken pride in this vision, and I will not let the grounds for this pride weaken ever”, Mr Badal added.
Meanwhile a sea of humanity streamed into Badal village in lakhs to pay their last respects to five times chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. Thousands walked several kilometers to pay homage to the son of the soil who made them proud by always keeping them first. The love the former chief minister occupied in the hearts of Punjabis could be seen everywhere.
People from all sections of society and religions lauded the SAD Patron for giving the most importance to peace, communal harmony and brotherhood amongst mankind in keeping with the philosophy of Sarbat da Bhala taught by the Guru Sahiban.
Union home minister Amit Shah eulogized the former chief minister by describing him as a man with a big heart who stood up against Emergency as a matter of principle. Mr Shah said during Mr Badal’s career spanning decades, the latter dedicated himself to the welfare of the poor and his demise was a big blow to the Sikh Panth as well as the country which had lost a true patriot.
He also lauded the secular credentials of the former chief minister, stating that the latter had built a gurdwara, mandir and masjid in his native village Badal. The home minister said the former chief minster’s demise was a personal blow to him and also shared his condolences with SAD president and MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Congress leader Sachin Pilot also paid glowing tributes to the Akali titan on the occasion as did Asom Gana Parishad President Atul Bora. INLD president Om Parkash Chautala also paid a personal tribute to the late leader besides commisserating with the Badal family.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said Sardar Badal had remained the strongest votary of federalism throughout his life. “Badal Sahab believed strong States would make a strong nation and also felt that undue central interference in State subjects would only weaken the nation. He said the late leader also strongly believed in the importance of regional parties as they best echoed the aspirations of the people of the area.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami while paying tributes to the Akali patriarch said it was the latter’s wish that the Bandi Singh’s be released from their incarceration in his lifetime. He also submitted a memorandum in this connection to union home minister Amit Shah which called for the release of all Bandi Singhs including Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana in keeping with the undertaking given by the central government on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji in 2019.
Senior SAD leaders called for unity to complete the ‘mission’ of Mr Badal as well as set future goals as per the ideals of the late leader. Balwinder Singh Bhundur and Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra said the former leader was the founder of modern day Punjab and had done the most for the farmers and weaker sections.
Paying a personal tribute to his uncle, senior leader and family member Manpreet Singh Badal said the Akali titan stood for protecting the rights of farmers and the poor, brotherhood and nationalism. He said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised that the Akali patriarch had chosen to give up power rather than compromise his core values.
Ajit Editor Barjinder Singh Hamdard reminiscenced how the late leader was approachable to one and all. He related how the former chief minister prevailed upon then Prime Minister I K Gujral to waive off the Rs 60,000 crore loan which the State had incurred during the period of militancy as well as detailing how former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh did not allow breaking of the SGPC on Mr Badal’s plea.
Punjab Bahujan Samaj Party President Jasbir Singh Garhi paid rich tributes to the Akali Patriarch and referred to him as a messiah for Punjab and Punjabis. He said Mr Badal steadfastly struggled to resolve all injustices done to Punjab be it issue of Punjabi speaking areas, river waters or transfer of Chandigarh to the State.
SAD Delhi President Paramjit Singh Sarna while paying tributes to the Akali titan said the latter had made the biggest contribution to restoring communal harmony in Punjab. He said the former chief minister also inspired opposition to take a stand on Emergency and was behind the installation of Vajpayee government in 1997.
Punjab CPI leader Hardev Arshi paid glowing tributes to the Akali patriarch terming the latter as a selfless worker who kept the people above all else & even did not even apply for parole to attend his only daughter’s wedding. Sukhwinder Singh from the CPI (M) also paid tributes to the former chief minister.
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