Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away on Wednesday morning at Fortis Hospital after a prolonged battle with a lung-related ailment. He was 89.
According to family sources, Dhindsa had been in and out of medical care in recent months and breathed his last earlier on Wednesday, marking the end of a significant chapter in Punjab’s political landscape.
A towering figure in Sikh and regional politics, Dhindsa’s political journey spanned decades. He served in several key positions, including Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Sports during the Vajpayee-led NDA government. Known for his administrative acumen and deep involvement in Sikh issues, he played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the Shiromani Akali Dal. In 2020, he broke away from the parent party and founded SAD (Sanyukt).
Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed deep condolences, hailing Dhindsa as a principled leader and dedicated public servant. His passing leaves a deep void not only in his party but also among supporters and colleagues across Punjab.
He was last in the news in December 2024 when he, along with former Punjab Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, undertook religious penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This came after the Akal Takht pronounced tankhah (religious punishment) on several former Akali leaders for actions taken during SAD’s 2007–2017 tenure.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
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