Punjab politics has suffered a major setback today. Senior Akali leader and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away today. He was 88 years old and had been ill for the last several months. His death has sent a wave of mourning through the political, social, and Sikh communities.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has been one of the prominent faces of the Shiromani Akali Dal. He started his political career with student politics and later became an MLA and MP several times. In the central government, he also held the responsibility of many important ministries, including the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Dhindsa was associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal for a long time, but later he broke away from the party and formed ‘Shiromani Akali Dal (United)’. His political life is known for discipline, clear ideology, and commitment to farmers’ issues.
Many senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a nd Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, have expressed deep condolences on his demise. The Prime Minister tweeted, “The demise of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa ji is extremely sad. He served Punjab and the country for years. His contribution will never be forgotten.”
According to family sources, his last rites will be performed tomorrow in his native village in Sangrur district. Many political and social leaders will attend the occasion.
With the demise of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab has lost an experienced, thoughtful, and public-spirited leader.