India, June 3 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday installed Kewal Singh Dhillon as its first-ever Jat Sikh state president.

The 76-year-old industrialist-turned-politician formally took charge in Chandigarh amid a symbolic blend of traditional Sikh 'ardaas' and Sanatan Dharma 'puja' rituals, underscored by the historic installation of a portrait of the 19th-century Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh inside the state chief's office.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Punjab," Dhillon said shortly after taking charge. "We are drawing inspiration from the golden, inclusive governance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, where every community thrived equally. The BJP is no longer a marginal player or confined to specific pocket...