The rise and religious reckoning of a political dynasty

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Sukhbir Singh Badal has spent decades at the helm of one of India's most influential Sikh political parties. Yet, his legacy is defined by a complex tug-of-war between massive business interests, allegations of extrajudicial violence, and a profound spiritual crisis that led to a rare religious decree.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, the son of five-time Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, rose to prominence as a key leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). His political career is marked by significant influence over Sikh organizations and a vast business portfolio including real estate, transport, and media. However, his leadership has faced intense scrutiny for allegedly turning the party into a dynastic entity, shifting its focus from laborers to capitalists, and neglecting its historical commitment to Dalit upliftment.

The Badal family's power is inextricably linked to their economic reach. Sukhbir holds majority stakes in the PTC television network and interests in companies like Orbit Aviation and Dabwali Transport. Critics have accused him of running Punjab like a 'Pvt. Limited company,' noting that out of 84 luxury bus permits in the state, at least 52 belong to companies patronized by the Badals. This concentration of wealth has often been contrasted with the deteriorating state transport department.

Controversy also stems from allegations of extrajudicial violence. Badal faced significant backlash for promoting officers linked to the 'Alam Special Forces' and the Kotkapura firing incident, where innocent Sikhs were killed. These actions led to a formal split in 2022, though he later issued a public apology at the Akal Takht. The ultimate spiritual reckoning occurred on December 13, 2024, when the Akal Takht Jathedar declared him a 'Tankhaiya'—a religious outcast—requiring him to undergo a week of atonement at the Golden Temple to restore his standing with the Sikh community.

Recent years have seen a historic decline for the SAD under Badal’s presidency. The party lost its status as a major political force in the 2017 and 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections, finishing third behind the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress. Despite his efforts to maintain influence through protests against farm laws and water disputes, experts cite a lack of faith in the party's campaign and its perceived shift away from democratic roots as primary reasons for this electoral erosion.

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