NEW DELHI: Veteran Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal, who played a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid, passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was a 89.
Singhal had not been keeping well and was admitted to Medanta Medicity hospital in Gurgaon. He had complained of acute breathlessness and other problems. He died at 2.24 pm following cardiovascular failure and septicaemia, VHP International President Pravin Togadia said.
The Hindutva leader was credited with building the Hindu nationalist movement in India by spearheading various agitations and programmes. After Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister, Singhal had, last November, termed the event as the installation of a strong and proud Hindu ruler after 800 years.
Senior leaders including Prime Minister Modi condoled his death. “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 the death of the Sangh veteran. Bhagwat said Singhal, through his work in the 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 an active general. Singhal’s role in Hindu rejuvenation in independent India will always be remembered,” Bhagwat said.
Last month, celebrating Singhal’s birthday in Delhi, leading Hindu saints, the RSS chief and several ministers who had gathered, recalled his contributions. Despite his age and poor health, Singhal managed to impress with his powerful voice. A senior VHP leader, and its former chief Vishnu Hari Dalmia had then demanded that Modi ‘gift’ the Ram temple at Ayodhya to Singhal.
Singhal had been associated with the 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 the VHP and became its joint general secretary. In 1984, he became its general secretary and was later elevated to the post of its working president, a role in which he continued till December 2011. Singhal played a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement that led to the demolition of the Babri mosque by Hindutva activists.
Construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site has been a long-standing demand of 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, 1926, Singhal got 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 be kept at the RSS headquarters in Delhi and cremated on Wednesday.