Ashok Singhal: News

Born on September 27, 1926, Hindu Hriday Samrat Ashok Singhal was the former international president of Vishva Hindu Parishad, a Hindu right-wing organization, and the in-charge of 1992 Ram JanamBhoomi movement, which led to the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Born to an Indian Civil Servant, Singhal finished his degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University (IIT BHU) in 1950. Out of his six brothers, three held prominent positions in the Indian government. A trained vocalist in Hindustani music, Singhal studied under Pandit Omkar Thakur. Singhal joined Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1942 while studying engineering and became a full-time pracharak, after the completion of his engineering. In 1984, he was deputed as the general secretary of VHP. He later served as the President of VHP for 20 years until 2011. On November 17, 2015, Singhal passed away at Medanta City Hospital in Gurugram following a prolonged illness. He was succeeded by Praveen Togadia as the international President of VHP.