Social activist Swami Agnivesh passes away

New Delhi: Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh, who was hospitalised due to liver cirrhosis at the Institute of Liver and Billary Sciences (ILBS) here, died at the hospital after suffering multi-organ failure. He was 80.

The social activist was admitted to the ILBS on Tuesday and had been on ventilator since then.

"He was suffering from liver cirrhosis and died today due to multi-organ failure as his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest at 6 pm," a spokesperson of the hospital said.

Resuscitation was attempted but he passed away at 6:30 pm, he said.

His last rites will be performed on Saturday at Agnilok Ashram in Behelpa, Gurgaon at 4 pm. Before that, his body will be kept at his office in 7, Jantar Mantar Road so that people can pay last respects.

Those coming to pay last respects have been urged to follow COVID-19 protocols.

The 80-year-old Agnivesh, a former MLA from Haryana, founded a political party, Arya Sabha, that was based on the principles of the Arya Samaj in 1970. He was also an advocate for dialogue between religions.

He was involved in various areas of social activism including campaigns against female foeticide and the emancipation of women. He was a prominent associate of Anna Hazare during the India Against Corruption's campaign in 2011 to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot were among those who condoled his demise.

"Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of social activist & champion of women''s rights Swami Agnivesh Ji. My condolences to his admirers & followers. RIP," Puri tweeted.

"Grieved at the passing of Swami Agnivesh, who gave up a career as a professor in Kolkata to fight for many causes. My condolences to his friends and followers," Banerjee posted on Twitter.

Gandhi called his demise an "irreparable loss" to the country.

"Swami Agnivesh, the founder of Bandhua Mukti Morcha and revolutionary leader of Arya Samaj passed away today. His demise is an irreparable loss to the entire country and Arya Samaj. My humble tribute to him," he posted on Twitter in Hindi.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of social activist Swami Agnivesh and said he was a voice of the oppressed.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of social activist Swami Agnivesh. He was led by his conscience and all through his life remained a relentless voice for the oppressed and unheard. On behalf of the people of Kerala, I offer our deepest condolences," Vijayan tweeted.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala also the death of Swami Agnivesh.

"Swami Agnivesh fought uncompromisingly against communalism and fascism. He was a great personality who believed that pluralism and secularism were the foundation of our nation and fought tirelessly for it," Chennithala said in a statement.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)