In recognition to the enormous contribution of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi towards the Panth and state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to give ‘Minister rank’ to the widow of the departed leader. Addressing the mammoth gathering here at Gurdwara Tahliana Sahib on the bhog of departed leader, the Chief Minister said that the state government would soon issue a notification for providing all the facilities given a Minister of the Punjab government to Mrs. Mohinder Kaur the wife of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi. He said that it was nothing but a humble tribute to the legendary leader who had served the state and Panth throughout his life. Mr. Badal also said that a befitting memorial in the memory of the deceased leader would also be erected after due consultation with the members of the bereaved family.
The Chief Minister said that in the demise of Jathedar Talwandi, Punjab has lost its great leader who had served the state and its people in various capacities. He said that probably Jathedar Talwandi was the only political leader who had served the state socially, politically and even religiously by being the President of Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee besides being a Member of Parliament and MLA of the state assembly. Mr. Badal said that with the death of Jathedar Talwandi a void has been created which would be difficult to fill in the near future.
Recalling the outstanding services rendered by Jathedar Talwandi during the landmark agitations like Punjabi Suba, Emergency, Dharam Yudh and others, the Chief Minister said that the Jathedar Talwandi was a fearless leader who never comprised with the interests of the state and Panth. Describing Jathedar Talwandi as a decisive leader, Mr. Badal said that he never hesitated to take any bold decision if it was in the interest of Punjab and its people. He said that even in the troublesome periods Jathedar Talwandi led the party from the front to safeguard the interests of the people.
Describing the sad demise of Jathedar Talwandi as a huge personal loss, the Chief Minister said that he was not a person but an institution, who zealously worked for the welfare of poor and underprivileged sections of the society. Mr. Badal said that the life and struggle of Jathedar Talwandi would ever act as a lighthouse for the coming generations to serve the state and the Panth with utmost zeal, sincerity and commitment.
Paying floral tributes to the departed soul, the President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that SAD was not an ordinary party but it has a glorious saga of supreme sacrifices made by its leaders and workers adding that the life and history of Jathedar Talwandi was a ‘one of the golden pages’ of this saga. He said that Jathedar Talwandi was the torchbearer of SAD, who was source of inspiration for the new brand of Akali leaders about the rich past of the party. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that it was a matter of pride for every Akali worker and leader that a great leader like Jathedar Talwandi had once headed this party of great martyrs and heroes.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the trio comprising of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, late Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra and late Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi have struggled a lot and made enormous sacrifices to strengthen the party, due to which the Akalis were enjoying the fruits of power today. He said that the history would ever remember Jathedar Talwandi as a fearless leader who always led the party from the forefront even in the odd circumstances. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the entire Akali leadership was indebted to leaders like Jathedar Talwandi for the unprecedented services rendered to the Panth, party and the state. On the occasion the Deputy Chief Minister also announced that in order to showcase the glorious history of SAD and its leaders and workers to the people a documentary film would be soon made by the party. He said that this film would be a real tribute to all the legendary workers and leaders of the party who have rendered supreme services for the Panth, party and the state. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister also presented a turban to former MLA Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, the son of Jathedar Talwandi, from the party.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh, Speaker Punjab Assembly Dr Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Members of Parliament (MPs) Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Ministers Jathedar Tota Singh, Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Pawan Teenu, President of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee Jathedar Avtar Singh, Mr. Mantar Singh Brar and Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, MLAs Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Mr. Manpreet Singh Aiyaali, Jathedar Hari Singh Zira, Mr. Prem Mittal and Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, former Ministers Mr. Malkiat Singh Birmi, Mr. Isher Singh Meharban and Master Mohan Lal, former MLAs Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Wadala, Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda, Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar and Mr. Sukhdarshan Singh Muraar, former MP Mrs. Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan besides several members of SGPC and leaders of SAD-BJP alliance.