- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
We are celebrating the centenary birth anniversary of Ashok Singhal, a towering personality who combined spiritual pursuit, cultural awakening, and decades of dedicated organizational work. I consider it a great privilege that I had the opportunity to converse with him countless times and receive his affection.
The thought of what more could be done for people on the margins of society was always on his mind. Whenever any part of the country was affected by a natural disaster, Ashok Singhal would be among the first to go there, or among those who led volunteers to help the affected people.
The work I carried out with him after the 2001 Kutch earthquake in Gujarat will remain forever in my memory.
With perseverance and hard work, Ashok Singhal advanced various organizations and movements. He possessed a powerful voice and an excellent ability to speak in a way that drew the entire crowd to him. Likewise, his concern for the volunteers who worked with him was also admirable.
Anyone who interacted with him could not help but be amazed by his remarkable simplicity.
When mentioning Ashok Singhal, one cannot fail to recall his crucial role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. No one can forget the speech he delivered at the rally held at Boat Club Grounds in 1991. Who can forget the sight of Ashok Singhal, injured at the height of that movement and seen bleeding?
Today, the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya has come into being, and one important reason it became possible is the contribution of noble leaders like Ashok Singhal, who devoted themselves selflessly to make it happen. Had he lived to see the Ram temple take shape in Ayodhya, Ashok Singhal would have been deeply happy.
He continuously worked to strengthen social unity and equality. He firmly believed that there should be no discrimination of any kind in society, and that every individual should be treated with equal dignity and respect.
It was his idea that the first brick for the Ram temple in Ayodhya should be laid by Kameshwar Chaupal, a person from a marginalized section of society and a grassroots worker of the Vishva Hindu Parishad from Bihar. At the Dharma Sansad meeting held in Kashi, he decided that due respect should be given to the Dom Raja, and he also worked with him on various social welfare activities.
On the occasion of Ashok Singhal’s centenary birth anniversary, let us ensure that more young people come to know of his greatness and contributions. Let us reaffirm our resolve to realize the dreams he had for our nation and its people, and act with determination.
