Modi pays homage to Ashok Singhal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Ashok Singhal at the Keshav Kunj, RSS office at Jhandewalan.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and many other leaders and personalities were seen paying their tributes to the former VHP president at Keshav Kunj.

The rituals of the funeral will take place at the Nigambodh Ghat, here at 4:30 p.m.

Expressing his grief over Singhal’s demise, Prime Minister Modi had on Tuesday said that the former would inspire many generations to come. “The demise of Ashok Singhal ji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centered around serving the nation…Ashok Singhal ji was the force behind several noble deeds & social work, which benefitted the poor. He is an inspiration for generations,” he said in a series of tweets.

“I was always fortunate to receive Ashok ji’s blessings & guidance. My condolences to his family & countless supporters,” he added. Singhal, who was admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon for respiratory problems, passed away yesterday. He was 89.

He was admitted to Medanta on October 20 after his condition deteriorated in Allahabad and was flown in to the national capital in an air ambulance. Singhal had served as the VHP president for over 20 years until he was replaced by Praveen Togadia in December 2011 due to diminishing physical health.