The ashes of Punjab’s former Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch Parkash Singh Badal were immersed in Sutlej at ‘asth ghat’ of Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib at Kiratpur Sahib in Ropar district by the family members on Wednesday.
Badal’s son and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with his family members, relatives, and party leaders carrying the urns of ashes reached the Gurdwara in the morning and immersed the ashes amid chants of “Satnam Waheguru”.
Sukhbir, holding the urn of ashes on his head and accompanied by Sikh priests and his family members, walked out of his house amid chants of “Satnam Waheguru”. Sukhbir Badal, along with wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, sister Parneet Kaur and her husband and former Minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, brother-in-law Bikram Majithia, estranged cousin Manpreet Badal, besides SAD’s senior leadership reached Kiratpur Sahib in two buses.
Five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had died on April 25 at Fortis hospital after a brief illness. He was 95. He was cremated on April 27 at Badal village.
Earlier, the ‘paath’ of Japji Sahib was organized. Sukhbir, along with his wife Harsimrat Kaur, their son and daughters reached the gurdwara in morning and attended the paath. Following this, the head granthi (priest) of Takth Sri Kesgarh Sahib Joginder Singh performed antim ardas at the ‘asth ghat’ while the ashes were immersed by Sukhbir and other relatives.
Others who also reached on the occasion include Takth Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghubir Singh, Baba Satnam Singh, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Daljit Singh Cheema, Madan Mohan Mittal, among others.
A day before, SAD spokesperson Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema had said that the Badal family will not be at Badal village on Wednesday — a message aimed at informing all those who were coming in large numbers to condole the death of the Akali patriarch.
Cheema, in his video message, had also stated that all Akali Dal leaders, who have been deputed for the Jalandhar bypoll, should continue performing their duties in the parliamentary constituency and not come to Badal village. The bypoll is slated to be held on May 10.
Last Prayers Today; Amit Shah to Attend
Meanwhile, the ‘bhog’ (last prayer) ceremony of the SAD patron will be held on May 4 (Thursday) at Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School in Badal village. All the arrangements for the same have been made with the Union Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, among many others expected to attend the same. Apprehending a big gathering and inflow of VVIPs, the District Administration has already issued a route plan for the day.