Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker and Kotkapura MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Faridkot MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon, and former MLA Kushaldeep Singh ‘Kikki’ Dhillon attended the antim ardaas ceremony of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh at Kothe Chahal village near Kotkapura.
A large number of locals joined the ceremony to pay tribute to the 22-year-old soldier, who succumbed to a bullet injury while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir on May 14. Akashdeep had joined the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme nearly 21 months ago.
The gathering echoed a unified demand for Akashdeep to be accorded martyr status. Notably, the family has refused to perform the final rites—specifically, immersion of the ashes—until the Central Government officially declares him a martyr.
Calling Akashdeep "a son of the nation," Speaker Sandhwan assured the grieving family that both the local administration and the state Chief Secretary were in touch with Army authorities to ensure proper recognition and honour for the fallen soldier. “A positive outcome is expected soon,” he said.
“This is a moment of sorrow not only for the family, but also for the entire region. Akashdeep’s sacrifice is a reminder of the bravery of our youth. I pray that Waheguru gives strength to the family to endure this loss,” Sandhwan added.
Sandhwan also took the opportunity to criticise the Centre’s Agnipath scheme, under which Agniveer soldiers serve for a four-year term. He called for the scheme to be scrapped, citing concerns about its long-term impact on the dignity and security of the armed forces personnel.
In recent days, several political leaders, including Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, have visited the family to express condolences. On Thursday, Warring facilitated a phone conversation between the family and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
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