AMN / NEW DELHI
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today condoled the demise of social activist Swami Agnivesh saying all his life he fought with great courage and conviction for the most marginalised sections of society.
In a statement, Sonia Gandhi said, “I am grieved to learn the passing way of Swami Agnivesh. All his life he fought with great courage and conviction for the most marginalised sections of our society, fearless in defending their rights and in facing upto those who exploited and oppressed them and terrorised the poor, often at great personal risk.”
The Congress leader said that Swami Agnivesh was a “most powerful” and “effective” voice for the vulnerable and the defenceless.
Swami Agnivesh’s energy and faith in constructive social activism was indeed admirable and inspiring, she said.
Recalling the works of Swami Agnivesh, Sonia Gandhi said, “He worked with equal dynamism to promote interfaith, understanding and dialouge, non-violence, and justice for the tribal people of Chhattisgarh, caught in a violent conflict. He will be widely mourned and India will honour the memory of this brave and noble soul.”
Swami Agnivesh died after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences on Friday evening. The hospital attempted to revive him for 30 minutes before declaring Agnivesh dead at 6.30 p.m.