Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal began 2026 with a visit to Shri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, offering prayers at midnight for peace, prosperity and brotherhood across Punjab. Accompanied by his wife and party MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Mr Badal joined large numbers of devotees at the Golden Temple as the state welcomed the New Year.
Sukhbir Singh Badal Golden Temple visit seeks peace for Punjab
The midnight pilgrimage drew a steady flow of worshippers to the holiest Sikh shrine, where pilgrims and locals gathered to greet 2026 with collective prayer. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mr Badal said he came to pray that “2026 proves to be a happy one for Punjab” and reiterated his wish for harmony and economic wellbeing in the state.
The Golden Temple was among several religious centres across the country where people chose to begin the year with blessings and reflection. In Amritsar, the atmosphere combined solemn prayer with quiet celebration as families and visitors paid their respects and participated in customary rituals.
Alongside Mr Badal’s message, national political figures used the New Year to call for civic action and solidarity. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged citizens to turn the year into “a mass movement” to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups, emphasising the right to work, the right to vote and the right to live with dignity. Mr Kharge concluded his message with warm New Year greetings and the salutation “Jai Hind”.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, extended his own greetings on social media, wishing the population happiness, good health and success in the year ahead. Their remarks came as cities and tourist sites around India welcomed large crowds for fireworks, family gatherings and public events.
Authorities maintained heightened security at major religious and public venues to ensure safety and public order as celebratory gatherings took place. Local officials coordinated with law enforcement to manage crowds and provide emergency services where required.
For political leaders, the New Year visit to places of worship serves multiple purposes: it is both a personal observance and a public gesture that underscores commitment to community welfare. Mr Badal’s presence at the Golden Temple will resonate with supporters and the wider electorate, particularly in a state where faith and politics often intersect.
Observers noted that the choice to begin 2026 with prayer and public messages focusing on social rights reflects broader concerns about stability, economic opportunity and communal harmony. Whether through religious observance or civic appeals, the tone set by these early statements emphasised unity and a collective aspiration for a prosperous year.
As the year gets under way, political parties and civic leaders will likely continue to engage with communities through public events and outreach, while authorities balance celebratory freedoms with the need to maintain security. For now, Punjab began 2026 with a combination of devotion, public goodwill and a call for renewed focus on citizens’ rights and dignity.
Key Takeaways:
- SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal offered prayers at the Golden Temple as 2026 began, seeking peace, prosperity and brotherhood for Punjab, highlighting the Sukhbir Singh Badal Golden Temple visit.
- The midnight visit drew large gatherings of devotees at Amritsar’s Shri Harmandir Sahib as cities across India welcomed the New Year with prayers and celebrations.
- National leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, extended New Year messages urging protection of rights and social harmony.
- Authorities maintained heightened security at religious and public centres to ensure safety during New Year events.
