Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, a prominent figure in Punjab politics and former Union Minister, passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 89 due to cardiac complications. His demise marks the end of an era in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Punjab's political landscape.

Key Highlights:

• Dhindsa began his political journey as the youngest sarpanch of Ubhawal village in Sangrur at age 22 and rose to become a four-time MLA, Rajya Sabha MP, and Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur. 
• He served as Union Minister of Sports and Chemicals & Fertilizers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 2000 to 2004. 
• In 2000, as Union Sports Minister, Dhindsa ordered a CBI probe into cricket match-fixing, leading to significant reforms in Indian cricket. 
• Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2019, he returned the honor in 2020 during the farmers' protests, aligning with the agrarian community's sentiments. 
• Dhindsa's political journey included forming SAD (Sanyukt) after parting ways with SAD in 2020; he later rejoined SAD in 2024 but was expelled again. 

His funeral is scheduled for May 30, 2025, in his native village of Ubhawal, Sangrur. Leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, have expressed their condolences.