Patron of Shiromani Akali Dal, S. Parkash Singh Badal, served Punjab as Chief Minister for five times.  He has been the Chief Minister of the state from 1970 to 1971, from 1977 to 1980, from 1997 to 2002 and from 2007 to 2017 (two consecutive terms). He led the party as the president from 1995 to 2008. The Government of India awarded him the second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, in 2015.

S. Parkash Singh Badal took his last breath on 25 April 2023, aged 95, after a brief illness at Fortis hospital in Mohali, Punjab

Born on December 8, 1927 in Abul Khurana, near Malout, Sardar Badal graduated from the Forman Christian College in Lahore. In 1970 he became the youngest Chief Minister of an Indian state.

Sardar Badal was first elected to the Punjab state assembly in 1957. He has been elected an MLA nine times since then. He became the Chief Minister of Punjab after he was re-elected to the Assembly in 1969.

He fought vociferously for the peace & sovereignty of the country. In the seventies, during the emergency, he was jailed with other politicians under the infamous MISA (Maintenance of Internal Securities Act). Besides, he spent many years behind bars for the sake of people of Punjab and their rights during Akali movement.

On December 11, 2011 the Akal Takht bestowed upon him the title of Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum (Literally, Jewel of the religion and pride of the community). Sardar Badal was awarded this title for his service towards the Sikh Panth, for being jailed for long time and for facing atrocities during various Akali movements.