Sukhbir Badal backs Punjab employees, appeals for unity under SAD flag
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), August 30, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday extended support to protesting Punjab government employees and appealed to people to unite under the SAD banner, while warning against a return to the turbulent period Punjab witnessed during the 1980s.
Addressing the gathering in Patiala, Badal said government employees were continuing their protest despite clear directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the state government was not taking appropriate action to resolve their grievances.
“I want to tell the employees of Punjab that the Shiromani Akali Dal is with them,” Badal said.
Recalling the SAD’s tenure in government, he claimed that his party had provided employees with various benefits and DA payments and had implemented the Pay Commission in Punjab.
Badal assured government employees that if the SAD returned to power, his party would address their pending demands and resolve their problems.
“Once we are back in power, we will resolve all the problems faced by state employees,” he said.
‘Don’t Want Punjab to Become What It Was in the 1980s’
Badal also referred to Punjab’s troubled history, saying he did not want the state to return to the situation it witnessed during the 1980s.
“I don’t want Punjab to become what it was under the 1980s. It was a really dark time for Punjab,” he said.
Appealing to the people of Punjab, Badal said, “Only you can now save our kaum, our suba and our Punjab.” He further called upon people to unite under the SAD flag and urged them to “fight these outsiders”.
“If you really want to save Punjab, please unite under one flag and fight these outsiders. Please unite under the SAD flag,” Badal said.
His remarks come amid growing political activity in Punjab and continuing protests by government employees over their service-related demands, including the dispute over pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dues.
The comments are likely to draw political attention as the SAD seeks to consolidate its support base in Punjab while positioning itself as a political force representing the state’s interests and the concerns of its employees.