Ashok Singhal Ashok Singhal

Senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal on Tuesday passed way after he was on ICU suffering from respiratory problem, said organization’s international working president Praveen Togadia.

“Mr Singhal died at 2.24 PM at Medanta Medicity hospital in Gurgaon,” said Togadia.

89-year-old Ashok Singhal had been admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon after his health deteriorated. Hospital sources had said Singhal’s condition was critical and he was on ventilator support in the ICU.

Also read | Ashok Singhal: VHP’s ‘guide and visionary’

Singhal had been suffering from respiratory problems for over a month now. He was earlier admitted to Medanta on October 20 after his condition deteriorated in Allahabad and was flown in to the national capital in an air ambulance. He was discharged only two days ago.

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.

A metallurgy engineering graduate from Banaras Hindu University, he pitchforked the organisation in the Ayodhya Ram temple movement and sought to internationalise it by recruiting supporters and organising branches world wide. The overseas supporters contributed immensely to the VHP campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Singh. “The demise of Ashok Singhalji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centred around serving the nation,” he tweeted.

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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2015

He said he was always fortunate to receive Ashokji’s blessings and guidance. “My condolences to his family and countless supporters,” he said.

I was always fortunate to receive Ashok ji’s blessings & guidance. My condolences to his family & countless supporters. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2015

BJP president Amit Shah and party’s general secretary (organisation) Ramlal, besides Union Health Minister J P Nadda had visited him on Saturday at the hospital and inquired about his health. VHP international vice-president Om Parkash Singhal, general secretary Champat Rai and other leaders had also visited Medanta.

Keeping in view Singhal’s bad health, VHP had cancelled its 18-day Chaturved Swahakar Yajna that was slated to start at Delhi’s Birla Mandir from November 16, as well as its Diwali Milan programme.

Singhal’s body will be brought to the RSS office in Jandewalan in Central Delhi tonight.

It will be kept there till 3 PM tomorrow for public to pay homage after which it will be cremated in the Nigambodh ghat here, Togadia said.

(With PTI inputs)

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.