Silence at the Top: President, Vice President, PM Fail to Remember India’s First Sikh, Other Backward Class President
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 25,2025
On December 25,1994, the first Sikh President of India Giani Zail Singh had died following a car crash.
Today, no tribute is paid by the President of India Draupadi Murmu to former President of India Giani Zail Singh on his death anniversary. Whereas President Droupadi Murmu had paid floral tributes to Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 11,2025
Even Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan skips to pay homage to former President of India Giani Zail Singh on his death anniversary but remembered former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary and Pt. Ravi Shankar on his death anniversary on December 11,2024.
On his 31st death anniversary, even no homage, tribute is paid by the prime minister of India Narendra Modi. Whereas the PM has paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 101st birth anniversary and remembered Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on his birth anniversary today. PM Narendra Modi had also remembered former President Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary on December 11,2024.
Not only PM, even the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting fails to remember former President of India Giani Zail Singh on his death anniversary. The ministry remembers Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya .
On this occasion, the Congress party from which Giani Zail Singh belonged to, has paid tribute on their social media accounts “Remembering the former President of India, Giani Zail Singh, on his death anniversary. A committed public servant, he dedicated his life to national unity, democratic values, and the upliftment of the poor, leaving a lasting imprint on Indian public life.”
Giani Zail Singh, born on May 5, 1916, in the village of Sandhwan in Faridkot, passed away on December 25, 1994. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming the first Sikh President of India is a testament to his dedication and service to the nation.
He is always remembered for his services to the nation as a freedom fighter, Chief Minister of Punjab, Home Minister of the Union of India and President of India.
Giani Zail Singh remained President of India from 1982 to 1987 and Union Home Minister from 1980 to 1982, and to Punjab as the Chief Minister from 1972 to 1977.
Giani Zail Singh did his early education at the Sikh Missionary School in Amritsar, where he earned the title of Giani, signifying a learned person, to his rise as a distinguished statesman. His deep understanding of Sikh teachings and his commitment to public service were evident throughout his illustrious career.
Giani Zail Singh’s memorial, his samadhi, is located at Ekta Sthal (Place of Unity) in New Delhi, a significant site within the larger complex that houses memorials for many of India’s leaders, marking the final resting place of the 7th President of India who passed away in 1994.
