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Jalandhar village celebrates Dhesi’s becoming first turbaned Sikh MP in UK
The newly elected MP’s mother, Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, is a friend of former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur and a co-accused in the Harpreet Kaur murder case.
With Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, 38, becoming the first turbaned Sikh MP in the UK on Friday, the mood at his native Raipur village, 17 km from Jalandhar cantonment, was festive and upbeat.
Tanmanjeet’s uncle, Paramjit Singh Raipur, a senior Akali leader in Jalandhar, said it was a proud moment not only for the family but also for Punjab.
“Tanmanjeet has created history. We are celebrating his win by distributing sweets and organising a langar (community kitchen),” he said.
Paramjeet Kumar, a resident of the village, says, “Tanmanjeet has brought laurels to the village. I hope his win will strengthen ties between India and England.”
Former Improvement Trust chairman Paramjit Singh Raipur said that Dhesi and his family used to stay at his house during their visits.
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EARLY EDUCATION IN PUNJAB
Dhesi was born in Britain but did his primary education in Punjab. He studied for four years at Shivalik Public School, Mohali, and for two years at Sri Dasmesh Academy, Anandpur Sahib, before returning to the UK.
He lives with his parents in Britain.
Tanmanjeet’s father, Jaspal Singh Dhesi, runs a construction company in the UK. He visited Jalandhar in December 2016 and is expected in Punjab next month.
MOTHER CO-ACCUSED IN HARPREET KAUR CASE
The newly elected MP’s mother, Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, is a friend of former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur and a co-accused in the Harpreet Kaur murder case.
In 2012, Jagir Kaur, a two-time SGPC president, was convicted for her daughter Harpreet’s forcible abortion, wrongful confinement, abduction and criminal conspiracy except murder in April 2000 after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe established her involvement.
POLITICAL PAST
The former Gravesham mayor studied in three of the most prestigious universities of the UK, including University College, London, Oxford University and Cambridge University.
After completing his studies, Dhesi joined the Labour Party. He got elected as councillor from the Northfleet North ward in Gravesham in 2007, from where he has been elected again.
