Muktsar (Badal): Akali stalwart and five-time Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal was cremated with full state honours in his own fields in his native village of Badal, in Muktsar district, last week. Thousands from all walks of life came to say goodbye to the grand old man of Punjab politics.
After hugging his father one last time, the Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch’s son and party president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, wept as he lit the funeral pyre in the family orchard. Kinnow trees planted by Badal Senior over two acres had to be uprooted for lack of such a big cremation ground in the village.
Modi pays last respects
Earlier, political leaders cutting across party lines and prominent personalities from other fields paid homage before the mortal remains of SAD patriarch. PM Modi, too, came to Chandigarh to pay his last respects to Badal, who passed away aged 95. He had termed Badal’s demise a “personal loss”.
SAD and BJP’s 24-year alliance had ended over the contentious farm laws. PM Modi met Sukhbir Badal before leaving for Delhi. He was accompanied by Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
After kirtan and prayers, the specially decorated ambulance carrying Badal’s body, which was driven by SAD politician Bikram Singh Majithia, left the party headquarters for Badal’s village where last rites were performed.