Parkash Singh Badal was an Indian politician and Sikh rights advocate.

He served as the 8th Chief Minister of Punjab from 1970 to 1971, from 1977 to 1980, from 1997 to 2002, and from 2007, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab to date.

Additionally, he was the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1977 and the 11th Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare from 1977 to 1977.

During his political career, he was the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal from 1995 to 2008, before being succeeded by his son.

He also held important roles as the patron of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

One of his notable contributions was the founding of the Janata Party.

Born on December 8, 1927, Parkash Singh Badal hailed from a Sikh family with an agricultural background, his father being a landlord.

In 1959, he entered into another marriage, with two of his children later marrying Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon.

The politician passed away in 2011 after battling cancer, leaving behind a political legacy.

His younger brother Gurdas Singh Badal was actively involved in both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Indian National Congress.

Furthermore, Manpreet Singh Badal took on the role of Finance Minister of Punjab at one point.