Minister Sirsa meets new L-G, highlights Sikh legacy
Congratulated Taranjit Singh Sandhu, recalled his family’s contributions
Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday met the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, to congratulate him and highlight the historic legacy of Sandhu’s family and the contribution of Sikh leaders to the country.
Sharing details of the meeting, Sirsa described the interaction as an opportunity to acknowledge Sandhu’s career in public service and diplomacy. Sandhu, a former Indian Ambassador to the United States, was recently appointed as Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor.
“Today I had the privilege of meeting the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Taranjit Singh Sandhu (Samundari). His distinguished career and service to the nation speak for themselves,” Sirsa said.
During the meeting, Sirsa also referred to Sandhu’s family legacy particularly that of his grandfather, Teja Singh Samundari, a prominent figure in the Gurdwara Reform Movement in the early 20th century.
“Taranjit Singh Sandhu is the grandson of Sikh leader Sardar Teja Singh Samundari, one of the most respected figures of the Gurdwara Reform Movement. When the boundary wall of Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib was demolished during the British era for construction around the Viceroy’s House, the Sikh community rose in historic protest under the leadership of stalwarts like Sardar Teja Singh Samundari,” Sirsa said.
The minister further highlighted Samundari’s role in the Akali movement and his contribution to securing the rights of the Sikh community in managing historic gurdwaras through legislation.
“He was also a key leader of the Akali movement, and his relentless struggle played an important role in the enactment of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925, which ensured that historic gurdwaras would be managed by the Sikh community through the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The father of our incumbent LG, Dr Bishan Singh Samundari, served as a distinguished educationist and the founding Vice-Chancellor of GNDU,” he added.
The statement also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appointing Sandhu as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, describing it as recognition of a proud Sikh legacy.
“I sincerely thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a fitting tribute to this proud Sikh legacy by appointing Sardar Taranjit Singh Sandhu as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. This decision reflects the Prime Minister’s deep respect for the Sikh community and the historic Sikh struggle for rights and dignity,” Sirsa said.
