Photo Credit: Punjab Kesari
Punjab’s political landscape lost one of its tallest leaders on Tuesday as Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Minister and stalwart of the Shiromani Akali Dal, passed away at the age of 89. He breathed his last at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he had been admitted a day earlier due to pneumonia and heart complications. His demise marks the end of an era in regional and national politics.
A Towering Figure in Punjab Politics
Born on April 9, 1936, in Ubhawal village, Sangrur district, Dhindsa was a towering political figure with a career that spanned over six decades. Starting off as a student leader, he quickly rose through the ranks to become Punjab’s youngest sarpanch and later a revered MLA, MP, and Union Cabinet Minister.
Dhindsa’s political journey began in earnest in 1972 when he was elected as an independent MLA from Dhanaula. He soon joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and never looked back. He held multiple portfolios in the Punjab government and went on to represent the state in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He also served as the Union Minister for Chemicals, Fertilizers, and Sports under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government from 2000 to 2004.
Known for Principles Over Power
Known for his unwavering principles, Dhindsa did not shy away from taking bold stands. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to public affairs. However, in a strong statement of solidarity with the 2020–21 farmers’ protest, he returned the prestigious award, highlighting his deep-rooted connection with Punjab’s agrarian community.
In recent years, Dhindsa distanced himself from the SAD leadership under Sukhbir Singh Badal. He formed the Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) in 2020, which later merged with the Taksali faction to form SAD (Sanyukt). In a symbolic move for unity, he merged his faction back into the original SAD in March 2024, aiming to bring coherence to the fragmented Akali legacy.
Reactions Pour In Across Political Spectrum
Tributes have poured in from all corners of the political world. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed condolences, acknowledging that while they had political differences, Dhindsa’s contribution to Punjab was immense. “May Waheguru bless his soul and give strength to the family,” Mann wrote on social media.
SAD leader Daljeet Singh Cheema remembered him as a “dedicated, experienced, and visionary leader” and said his passing is a great loss for both Punjab and the nation.
Dhindsa is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters. His son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, a former Punjab Finance Minister, has also carried forward the family’s political legacy.
A Statesman’s Legacy
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa will be remembered not just for the number of offices he held, but for how he held them — with grace, conviction, and a commitment to the people. Whether in the Assembly, the Parliament, or the Cabinet, Dhindsa’s voice resonated with reason, experience, and a strong sense of ethics.
As Punjab mourns his demise, his life stands as a reminder that politics, at its core, is a service to people – something he never lost sight of, till his very last breath.
