Former Punjab Minister Chuni Lal Bhagat, father of Punjab Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat, was cremated with full state honours at the Model House Crematorium in Jalandhar on Thursday, September 10. The veteran leader was 93.
Political leaders, public representatives and people from different walks of life gathered to pay their last respects and bid a tearful farewell to the former minister.
His funeral pyre was lit by his son, Ashwini Kumar Bhagat. A contingent of Jalandhar Police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and fired a salute in tribute to the departed leader.
On behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Commissioner of Police Satinder Singh paid their respects by laying wreaths on the mortal remains of Chuni Lal Bhagat. Floral tributes were also offered by officials from the Horticulture and Defence Services Welfare departments.
Chuni Lal Bhagat’s Early Life
Chuni Lal Bhagat was born on December 1, 1932, in Sialkot, present-day Pakistan. His father was Mehnga Ram and his mother was Rukmani Devi.
Following the Partition of India and Pakistan, his family settled in Jalandhar. The family later entered the sports goods export business and went on to become one of the prominent sports goods exporters in the region.
Political Career
During his political career, Chuni Lal Bhagat held several important positions in Punjab politics.
In 2011, he was elected Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. From 2012 to 2017, he served as a Cabinet Minister in the Punjab Government.
During his tenure as Cabinet Minister, he handled the portfolios of Local Government, Medical Education and Research, Labour, and Forest and Wildlife.
Punjab Government Announces Half-Day Holiday
Earlier on Thursday morning, the Punjab Government announced a half-day holiday in all government establishments across the state as a mark of state mourning. The decision was taken in accordance with the prescribed protocol.
Leaders and Citizens Pay Last Respects
Several political leaders, public representatives and prominent personalities attended the cremation ceremony to pay their respects to the former minister.
Those present included Member of Parliament Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Mayor Vineet Dhir, Barjinder Singh Hamdard of Ajit Parkashan Group, Chief Editor of Uttam Hindu Irwin Khanna, Chairman of Punjab Agriculture Development Bank Pawan Teenu, Chairman District Planning Committee Amritpal Singh, Chairman Muslim Welfare Board Abdul Bahri Salmani, Chairman of Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Managal Bassi, Deputy Mayor Malkit Singh, Member of Traders Commission Indervansh Chaddha, Vice Chairman of Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Kimti Bhagat, Halqa Incharge Nitin Kohli and Rajwinder Kaur Thiara.
A large number of people from different walks of life also attended the cremation and paid their final respects.
Chuni Lal Bhagat is survived by his family. He had four sons and four daughters, of whom one son and one daughter have passed away.
