Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Sandhwan, MP Sarabjeet Khalsa attend antim ardas of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker-cum-MLA from Kotkapura Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, Faridkot MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon and former Faridkot MLA Kushaldeep Singh ‘Kikki’ Dhillon today attended the antim ardaas of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh at Kothe Chahal village near Kotkapura town in Faridkot district.

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The leaders, including the public, demanded ‘martyr status’ for the Akashdeep.

The 22-year-old Agniveer lost his life after suffering a bullet injury while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir on May 14. He had joined the armed forces as an Agniveer nearly 21 months ago under the Agnipath scheme. This allows youth to serve in the military for a four-year term before returning to civilian life. The recruits under the scheme are referred to as ‘Agniveers’.

Notably, the family has refused to perform his final rites by immersing his ashes until the Central Government declares him a martyr.

Sandhwan called Akashdeep ‘a son of the nation’ and informed the family that the local administration and the state Chief Secretary were in contact with Army officials to ensure that Akashdeep receives due recognition and honour. He added that a positive outcome was expected soon.

“This is a moment of sorrow not only for the family, but also for the entire region. Akashdeep’s sacrifice is a reminder of the bravery of our youth. I pray that Waheguru gives strength to the family to endure this loss,” said Sandhwan.

He further criticised the Centre’s Agnipath scheme and said that it should be scrapped.

Several politicians, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, have visited the family to offer condolences in the past few days. Warring had even facilitated a phone call between the family and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday.