Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday came out strongly in support of journalists and RTI activists, while launching a pointed attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. Speaking to supporters and members of the media, Badal said that the freedom enjoyed by journalists during the tenure of Parkash Singh Badal stood in sharp contrast to the present situation.
Recalling his father’s leadership style, Sukhbir Badal said that when Parkash Singh Badal was Chief Minister, even opposition leaders and journalists were free to criticize the government openly. Despite tough and sometimes harsh reporting, Badal Sahib never tried to silence anyone. Instead, he would greet journalists warmly and often ask, “How are you? What can I do for you?” According to Sukhbir Badal, that attitude reflected real leadership and respect for democracy.
The SAD leader also expressed solidarity with RTI activists, describing them as a vital force in keeping governments accountable. He urged them not to feel discouraged and advised them to file another RTI to find out who is paying for Arvind Kejriwal’s air travel across the country. Badal said the public has every right to know how such frequent and expensive trips are being funded.
Sukhbir Badal further raised serious questions over the AAP government’s spending on publicity and media. He claimed that when SAD was in power, the media budget was around ₹35 crore. Under the current government, he alleged, this figure has skyrocketed to nearly ₹4,000 crore. He argued that such a massive increase shows that the focus has shifted from governance to self-promotion.
According to Badal, public money should be spent on development, healthcare, education, and jobs, not on building political images. He said the sharp rise in the media budget reflects misplaced priorities and a lack of transparency.
His remarks come at a time when concerns over press freedom and government advertising are being widely discussed in Punjab. With journalists and activists increasingly questioning the use of public funds for publicity, the issue is gaining political and public attention.
As Punjab moves closer to the 2027 Assembly elections, Sukhbir Badal’s statements signal that transparency, accountability, and freedom of the press will be central themes in the political debate. Whether these issues will translate into electoral impact remains to be seen, but they have clearly become a key part of the state’s political conversation.
Summary – Key Highlights
Sukhbir Singh Badal backed journalists and RTI activists and recalled the open atmosphere during Parkash Singh Badal’s tenure. He questioned who pays for Arvind Kejriwal’s air travel and alleged that Punjab’s media budget has risen from ₹35 crore to ₹4,000 crore under the AAP government, calling it a sign of misplaced priorities and excessive self-promotion.