Chandigarh — The Punjab Government has declared a half-day holiday across all state offices and educational institutions on Thursday as a mark of respect following the demise of former Cabinet Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal. The veteran political leader passed away at the age of 94 in Jalandhar after a prolonged illness.
Bhagat Chunni Lal was the father of Punjab’s current Cabinet Minister, Mohinder Bhagat. Family members confirmed that his mortal remains will be consigned to the flames later today in Jalandhar, drawing relatives, supporters, and prominent figures from across the state to pay their final respects.
A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Chunni Lal enjoyed a distinguished legislative career spanning decades. He served as a Cabinet Minister in the Shiromani Akali Dal–BJP coalition government led by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal between 2012 and 2017, overseeing major portfolios including Local Government, Medical Education and Research, and Labour. Prior to his ministerial tenure, he also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 2011 and represented his Jalandhar constituency in the state assembly over multiple terms.
Leaders across party lines have expressed profound grief over his passing, remembering him as a dedicated grassroots public servant who made significant contributions to urban administration and regional development throughout Punjab.
