NEW DELHI: Veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal who played a key role in Ram Janambhoomi movement, which subsequently led to the demolition of Babri Masjid, passed away here after brief illness. He was a 89.
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Singhal had not been keeping well after which he was admitted to Medanta Medicity hospital in Gurgaon. He had complained of acute breathlessness and other problems. He died at 2.24 PM following cardio-vascular failure and septicaemia, VHP International President Pravin Togadia said.
The Hindutva leader was credited with building hindu nationalist movement in the country by spearheading various agitations and programmes.
After Narendra Modi was elected as the Prime Minister, Singhal had in November last year termed the event as installation of strong and proud Hindu ruler after 800 years.
Senior leaders including Prime Minister Modi condoled the death of veteran Sangh leader.
"The demise of Ashok Singhal ji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centred around serving the nation," Modi tweeted.
"Ashok Singhal ji was the force behind several noble deeds & social work, which benefitted the poor. He is an inspiration for generations... I was always fortunate to receive Ashok ji's blessings & guidance. My condolences to his family & countless supporters," Modi added.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also expressed his deep condolences at death of Sangh veteran. In his condolence message, Bhagwat said, Singhal through his work in work in VHP made the Hindu community resurgent, and had a stellar role in bringing the Ram Temple movement to a crucial point. “He had personal relations with the hindu sants. Hindu community has lost an able organiser and a active general. Singhal’s role in hindu rejuvenation in the indepoedent India will always be remembered,” Bhagwat said.
Last month, while celebrating Singhal’s birthday in Delhi, in which leading Hindu saints, RSS chief and several ministers had gathered recalled his contribution. Despite his age and poor health, Singhal managed to impress with his powerful voice.
A senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, and its former chief Vishnu Hari Dalmia had then demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "gift" Ram temple at Ayodhya to Singhal.
Singhal has been associated with RSS since 1942, he became a full-time pracharak after his graduation. He worked in various locations around Uttar Pradesh, becoming a prant pracharak for Delhi and Haryana.
In 1980, he was deputed to VHP and became its Joint General Secretary. In 1984, he became its General Secretary and later elevated to the post of its working President, a role in which he continued till December 2011.
Singhal had played a key role in the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' movement that led to the demolition of Babri mosque in 1992 by Hindutva activists and construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site has been a long-standing demand of the right wing outfits.
A bachelor and an RSS pracharak all his life, Singhal, adopted an aggressive style in the "kar sewak" campaign in the build up to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December, 1992. Born in Agra on October 2 in 1926, Singhal has a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology in 1950. Singhal was responsible for expansion of the organisation across the world.
Singhal's body will kept at RSS headquarter in Delhi and will be cremated on Wednesday here.