Jalandhar, September 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Punjab Minister Chuni Lal Bhagat, 93, was cremated with full state honours at the Model House Crematorium in Jalandhar on Thursday, as political leaders, public representatives and citizens gathered to bid a tearful farewell to the veteran leader.
His son Ashwini Kumar Bhagat lit the funeral pyre, while a contingent of the Jalandhar Police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and fired a salute in tribute to the departed leader.
On behalf of 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 representatives of the Horticulture and Defence Services Welfare departments.
The Punjab Government had earlier announced a half-day holiday across all government establishments in the state as a mark of mourning, in accordance with the prescribed protocol.
Chuni Lal Bhagat was born on December 1, 1932, in Sialkot, now in Pakistan, to Mehnga Ram and Rukmani Devi. Following Partition, his family settled in Jalandhar and later entered the sports goods export business. The family subsequently emerged as one of the prominent sports goods exporters in the region.
During his political career, Bhagat held several important positions. He was elected Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly in 2011 and served as a Cabinet Minister from 2012 to 2017.
As a Cabinet Minister, he held portfolios including Local Government, Medical Education and Research, Labour, and Forest and Wildlife.
A large number of political leaders, public representatives and prominent citizens attended the cremation and paid their final respects.
Those present included Member of Parliament Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Mayor Vineet Dhir, Barjinder Singh Hamdard of Ajit Parkashan Group, Uttam Hindu Chief Editor Irwin Khanna, Punjab Agriculture Development Bank Chairman Pawan Teenu, District Planning Committee Chairman Amritpal Singh, Muslim Welfare Board Chairman Abdul Bahri Salmani, Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Chairman Managal Bassi, Deputy Mayor Malkit Singh, Traders Commission member Indervansh Chaddha, Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Vice Chairman Kimti Bhagat, Halqa Incharge Nitin Kohli and Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, besides people from various walks of life.
Chuni Lal Bhagat is survived by his family. He had four sons and four daughters, of whom one son and one daughter predeceased him.
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