Hundreds mourn death of Hansali dera head

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, January 2

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, her brother Bikram Majithia and lakhs of people reportedly paid their condolences at the dera of Sant Baba Ajit Singh Hansali Wale, who died last night. The remains of Baba Ajit Singh will be kept at Dera Hansali till Sunday.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal are expected to visit the dera tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chief Sewadar of Baba Ajit Singh, Paramjit Singh, has been appointed the new head of the dera.

Several lakh people were seen standing in long queues outside the dera. The Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police supervised the arrangements.

Dr Dharmjit Singh, secretary of the Hansali Trust, said the body of Baba Ajit Singh would be taken to Bhimor Sahib near Nangal at 8 am on Sunday, where it would be immersed into the Sutlej.

Baba Ajit Singh was known for giving spiritual guidance to his disciples. Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister, Yuvraj Singh cricketer, Capt Amarinder Singh, former CM, Preneet Kaur and several other celebrities regularly visited the dera.

Dera Hansali is run by a Trust constituted by Baba Ajit Singh. It also runs several schools, a college, a hospital, gaushalas and welfare schemes.

Kuljeet Nagra, Balbir Sidhu, MLAs, top police officers were also present at the dera.