May 30, 2025 : The last rites of former minister and Shiromani Akali leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa will be performed today in his ancestral village, Ubhaaval, in Sangrur district. Earlier, his body will be brought from Chandigarh to his residence via Rajpura, Patiala, and Bhawanigarh between 10:30 and 11:00 AM for the congregation to pay their final respects.
Around 3 PM, before the cremation in Sangrur, his body will be kept for final viewing in his ancestral village Ubhaaval (Sangrur). On Thursday, his body was brought from Fortis Hospital in Mohali to Chandigarh, where many prominent personalities came to pay their last respects. Leaders from Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and BJP also visited to offer their condolences.
On this occasion, Jalandhar MLA Pragat Singh said Dhindsa was an excellent leader who made significant contributions to sports and was active in politics for a long time. He described him as a positive thinker and said his loss is irreparable. Congress leader Tripat Singh Bajwa also said he was a very prominent personality.
Last Breath in Mohali:
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa took his last breath in Mohali. He was admitted to a private hospital in Mohali on May 27, 2025, in critical condition. The hospital stated that he was suffering from pneumonia and complicated heart problems related to age. Despite the efforts of a team of expert doctors, he could not be saved as he suffered a heart attack at 5:05 PM on May 28.
First Election Won as an Independent Candidate:
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was born on April 9, 1936. He became an independent MLA for the first time in 1972. He was re-elected twice consecutively from Sangrur in 1980 and 1985. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, he served as a central minister from 2000 to 2004, handling the position of Sports Minister of India. He was also elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.
In 2014, Dhindsa contested the Lok Sabha election from Sangrur but was defeated by Aam Aadmi Party candidate Bhagwant Mann.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was one of the close associates of former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and had considerable influence in Punjab politics. However, after becoming discontented with Shiromani Akali Dal in 2020, he formed Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) and contested elections but could not achieve success.
Summary:
Dhindsa’s last rites will be performed today at 3 PM in his ancestral village. The deceased’s body will be kept in the village for final respects today.