Obituary: VHP Leader Ashok Singhal, the man who rejuvenated Hinduism no more

89-year-old Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal breathed his last at 2.24 pm on Tuesday, Nov 17, while undergoing treatment at Medanta - The Medicity hospital in Sector 38, Gurgaon.

Born on Sept 15, 1926, in Agra, Singhal was the international working president of the Hindu organisation VHP for over 20 years. [VHP leader Ashok Singhal passes away in Gurgaon hospital]

In Dec 2011, another senior leader Pravin Togadia replaced Singhal as the VHP President, due to latter's ill health.

In 1950, Singhal completed his graduation in Metallurgical Engineering from the Benaras Hindu University Institute of Technology.

Since 1942, he was associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and in 1980, he became VHP's joint secretary and in 1984, he became its General Secretary. Eventually, he went on to become its president.

Very few people are aware of the fact that Singhal was a trained vocalist in Hindustani music.

Under his leadership, VHP constructed 200 temples specifically for Dalits.

Singhal, the man who rejuvenated Hinduism, played a key role in Ramjanmabhoomi temple movement.

Controversial statements by Singhal

On Feb 22, 2014, Singhal had advocated that Hindu couples should have at least five children, while speaking on the issue of conversions.

On July 18, the VHP patron had claimed that India will be a Hindu nation by 2020 and by 2030 the entire world will be Hindu" and he had also demanded a nation-wide ban on cow slaughter.