Nineteen years after Punjab’s former Chief Minister Beant Singh was assassinated by the terrorists in 1995, his death anniversary was commemorated as ‘balidaan divas’ on Sunday.
A function was organised on his martyrdom day at his Shaheedi Samara or memorial at Sector-42, Chandigarh wherein a large number of people paid floral tributes to their great leader.
A Sarv Dharam Prarthna Sabha (prayer meeting of all religions) was also organised on the occasion.
A galaxy of senior leaders of Congress party led by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa, and other senior functionaries including leaders of different frontal organisations, district presidents and representatives of various social organisations were present on the occasion.
Besides, the family members of the late leader, including his sons Tej Parkash Singh — a former Minister, and Sukhwant Singh — ludhiana zila parishad’s ex-chairman, and his daughter Gurkanwal Kaur — senior Congress leader, also participated in the prayer meeting.
Also participating, Beant Singh’s grandsons Ravneet Singh Bittu — ludhiana MP, Gurkirat Singh Kotli — MlA, and others pledged to work for the implementation of programmes initiated by the late Chief Minister and also strived to keep aloft his high moral values in public life.
They recalled the services of Beant Singh in restoring peace to the trouble-torn state of Punjab during the turbulent period of militancy, and how he “sacrificed” his life at the altar of peace.
Among others, former Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, former MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee, and former MP Gurcharan Singh Dadahoor were present.
In addition, MlAs including laal Singh, Raj Kumar Verka, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Surinder Dawar, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Amrik Singh Dhillon, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Kaka Randeep Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and others were present.
It needs to be mentioned that Sardar Beant Singh maintained a regular rapport with the political workers at the grass root level, particularly the Congressmen.