Dhindsa, last of first-generation Akali politicians, dies at 89
Chandigarh: Senior Akali leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa — the last of the party's first-generation politicians — passed away Wednesday evening at Fortis hospital due to prolonged illness.
He was 89.
Former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Sangrur, Dhindsa is survived by his wife, two daughters and son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former finance minister of Punjab.
A close family friend of Dhindsas said the veteran Akali leader was facing multiple health issues owing to his old age. "For the last two and a half months, his health had been deteriorating further. He was admitted to Fortis hospital Tuesday and passed away at around 5 pm today," said the close family friend.
In a media bulletin, Fortis hospital Mohali said, "Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union minister, was admitted to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on May 27, 2025, in a critical condition. He was suffering from severe pneumonia and cardiac complications, compounded by age related health issues. Despite the best efforts of the multidisciplinary medical team, he passed away at approximately 5.05 pm today due to cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
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A recipient of
Padma Bhushan
in 2019, Dhindsa was born on April 9, 1936, at Ubhawal village in Sangrur district. He studied at Government Ranbir College in Sangrur, completing his Bachelor of Arts. It was here that he began his political journey as a student leader. Dhindsa was a four-time MLA, winning his first election from Dhanaula in 1972 as an independent. He later joined Akali Dal. He was subsequently elected as MLA from Sunam in 1977, from Sangrur in 1980 and again from Sunam in 1985.
Dhindsa was Rajya Sabha MP from 1998 to 2004 and from April 2010 to April 2022. He was also elected to Lok Sabha from Sangrur in 2004.
Dhindsa and his son Parminder were expelled by SAD in 2020 after they questioned the functioning of Sukhbir Singh Badal as party president, blaming the latter for party's debacle in 2017
Punjab elections
. He floated a breakaway faction Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) which contested 2022 Punjab elections in a seat-sharing arrangement with SAD's former ally BJP and then Punjab Lok Congress floated by former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
The SAD (Sanyukt) could not make any mark in the election. Dhindsa was back in SAD fold in March last year, only to be expelled in August last year for "anti-party" activities.
Expressing grief over the demise of Dhindsa, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, while sharing his photo with Dhindsa when he returned to SAD fold in March last year in a post on X, wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Sukhdev Singh Ji Dhindsa.
Dhindsa Sahib served Punjab and the community for a long time as part of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and his contributions will always be remembered."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences in a post on X: "The passing of Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Ji is a major loss to our nation. He was a towering statesman with great wisdom and an unwavering commitment to public service. He always had a grassroots level connect with Punjab, its people and culture."
A family friend said Dhindsa will be cremated in Sangrur district on Friday.
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