Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi dies at 86

Ludhiana, September 19, 2014: Veteran Akali leader and former president of SGPC, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi (86) died at a local private hospital this morning, resulting to which a shock wave was spread in various circles including the Akali circles.
He has been undergoing treatment for the past some days. He is survived by his wife, two sons former MLA Ranjit Singh Talwandi and SGPC member Jagjit Singh Talwandi and two daughters.
He was a minister of state Punjab in 1967.
He had also been an MP from this parliamentary constituency. He was elected to Lok Sabha in 1977.

While giving details, Ranjit Singh Talwandi informed that Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi was born in year 1929 at Chak Number 52, Lyallpur (Pakistan). "The first entrant to the SGPC from the family was my grandfather Chhanga Singh followed by his Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi and currently my brother Jagjit Singh Talwandi is SGPC member from Raikot constituency," Ranjit Singh Talwandi informed.

Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi's cremation would take place at village Talwandi Rai (near Raikot) at 11 am on September 20, 2014 (Saturday). Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, besides a large number of people from all walks of life would attend the cremation tomorrow.

Highlights of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi's political career:
•    He started his political career after being elected as Sarpanch of his native village in the year 1955 and remained Sarpanch for 10 years in a row.
•    In year 1960, he was elected as SGPC member for the first time and remained its member till year 2011.
•    He was elected as an MLA from Raikot for the first time in 1967.
•    He became a minister in the governments led by Chief Minister Justice Gurnam Singh in 1969 and Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal in 1970.
•    He was elected as MP from Ludhiana in 1978.
•    He remained as Shiromani Akali Dal president twice between 1978 and 1988.
•    In 1981, he led a Morcha against the centre government for bringing out Anandpur Sahib resolution which advocated more rights for states.
•    He represented Punjab in Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1986.
•    He was elected as president of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee in the year 2000.
•    His elder son Ranjit Singh Talwandi was elected as MLA from Raikot constituency in 2002 and his younger son Jathedar Jagjit Singh Talwandi as SGPC member from Raikot in 2011.

Meanwhile, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur International Foundation patron Jagdev Singh Jassowal and other office-bearers have condole the death and stated that the deceased leader had risen from earth to sky. They said Jathedar Talwandi was also called as “Iron Man” who never compromised with his principles during whole life. This was why the deceased leader was given respect by all sections of the society, they added.

Capt Amarinder mourns Talwandi's death

(Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi/file photo)
CHANDIGARH, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today condoled the death of veteran Akali leader Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi.

In a condolence message, Capt Amarinder said, "with the demise of Jathedar Talwandi, one of the very few surviving leaders of the Akali movement has left us".

He said, Jathedar Talwandi, unlike many others, had selflessly served the panth without exploiting his position and power for personal or pecuniary benefits.

The former Chief Minister said, greatest attribute of Jathedar Talwandi was that he was fearless, frank and forthright in expressing his opinions and never bothered about the consequences.

He said, his contribution to the panthic and Punjab politics will always be remembered.

Majithia condoles Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi’s demise
Chandigarh: Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today expressed grief over the demise of Veteran Akali leader Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi , former President of Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC and Member Parliament, who breathed his last today morning.
In a condolence message, Majithia described Jathedar Talwandi a grass root level leader who always led from the front to oppose the biased approach of Congress led Central governments towards Punjab. Besides this, he always preferred the interests of party cadre and played a significant role in strengthening the party at the cutting edge level.
Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of bereaved family, Majithia prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to them to bear this irreparable loss.

Sukhbir Badal mourns the sad demise of Jathedar Talwandi
Chandigarh: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed deep shock at the sad demise of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, former President Shiromani Akali dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, who breathed his last at DMCH Ludhiana today morning after illness. He has left behind his two sons and two daughters.
In his condolence message, Badal described the passing away of Jathedar Talwandi as an irreparable loss to Shiromani Akali Dal and Sikh panth who have led the party on every front. Badal recalled his commendable contribution to SAD and said that he exhibited his unchallenged leadership qualities in each political struggle.
Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, Deputy CM prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to family members to bear this irreparable loss.
A veteran Akali stalwart Jathedar Talwandi has served as minister twice. He was elected to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1967, 1969 and 1972 and Lok Sabha in 1977.

Bajwa condoles demise of Jathedar Talwandi
Chandigarh: The Punjab Congress President, Partap Singh Bajwa, today expressed deep sense of shock and sorrow over the sad demise of the veteran Akali leader and former party President, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi who breathed his last today morning in Ludhiana.
In a statement, the PPCC chief said Jathedar Talwandi was one of those leaders who was totally dedicated to the cause and committed to his beliefs. His life was a saga of self-less struggle and he always upheld the moral values in political life.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Dr Cheema mourns the demise of Jathedar Talwandi
Chandigarh: Secretary General of the Shiromandi Akali Dal and Member Parliament Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Secretary of SAD & Spokesman of the Party Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, today expressed grief over the demise of Veteran Akali leader Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi who has passed away today. In a joint condolence message, Dhindsa and Dr. Cheema said that Jathedar Talwandi was a stalwart Akali leader who always fought for the cause of Punjabis. They said that Jathedar Talwandi discharged their duties excellently as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal, SGPC and as Member of Parliament. SAD leaders said that Jathedar talwandi would always be remembered for his uprightness and fearless approach he adopted for the welfare of the Punjabis.
The SAD leaders also expressed their heartfelt sympathies towards the member of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family to bear this irreparable blow.

CM mourns death of Jathedar Talwandi; Describes it as a huge personal loss
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound sorrow over the demise of the veteran Akali stalwart Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, who passed away at Ludhiana following a prolonged illness and described the deceased leader as “one of the tallest pillars of modern times and a great source of strength to him personally, to the SAD, the Panth and Punjab. Very few men can match his charisma, determination and his courage to speak his mind on issues concerning the people whom he loved and represented.” “Jathedar Sahib virtually defined the era to which he belonged. He leaves behind him a void that will be hard to fill,” said Badal in his condolence message.
Badal said, “Throughout his life, Jathedar Talwandi remained the powerful voice of Khalsa  Panth, and rightly came to be known as “Loh Pursh” – the iron man. Steadfast, strong and uncompromising on Panthic principles, Jathedar Sahib spearheaded the Khalsa Panth and theShiromani Akali Dal in various capacities through troubled times, including the movement for Punjabi Suba, the struggle against the Emergency and the Dharam Yudh Morcha. He remained a role model for unflinching commitment to the cause of Panth, Punjab and the nation.
The Chief Minister recalled his long personal association with the deceased leader and said that they worked as brothers in arms. During his life time, Panth and Punjab faced grave challenges but his unswerving will power and his determination succeed were always an invaluable asset for the party. The Chief Minister said that Jathedar Talwandi’s life and struggle would continue to inspire coming generations to serve the state with zeal and sincerity.

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