Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 28, 2026) paid tribute to former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international working president Ashok Singhal on his birth centenary, describing him as an “organisational genius” and recalling his “pivotal role” in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
In an OpEd, Mr. Modi recalled his many interactions with Mr. Singhal, who was born on September 27, 1926, and passed away on November 17, 2015.
“I consider it a privilege that I had innumerable opportunities to interact with Ashok Ji and receive his affection,” Mr. Modi wrote. “One of the earliest instances dates back to 1981, when I was a young Karyakarta going about the organisational duties given to me. I received a handwritten letter from him,” he added. “Naturally, it was a noteworthy moment for me.”
Remembering the person
Mr. Modi wrote about Mr. Singhal both as a person as well as an administrator.
He went on to recall how, over several decades, he saw Mr. Singhal work hard on various projects that often involved “long and often difficult travels to the remotest of areas”.
“His mind was constantly running, thinking about what more one can do for those on the margins of society,” Mr. Modi recalled. “Whenever any part of the nation was affected by a natural disaster, Ashok Ji was either among the first to reach there himself or among those guiding Karyakartas to help those affected. My own experience with him in the aftermath of the 2001 Kutch earthquake was unforgettable.”
The Prime Minister also wrote about how Mr. Singhal hailed from an illustrious and prosperous family.
“His father, Shri Mahavir Ji, was a distinguished administrator,” Mr. Modi noted. “One of his brothers, Shri BP Singhal Ji, went on to become a police officer and later a Member of Parliament. Another brother, Shri VP Singhal Ji, was the Chief Secretary of Tripura when the State was just formed. Other family members succeeded in the world of commerce and agriculture.”
However, Mr. Modi said, Mr. Singhal had another calling: “the revival of Bharat and bringing glory to Maa Bharti’s children”.
“Growing up in Prayagraj, Ashok Ji would sit for hours on the banks of the Sangam,” Mr. Modi said. “The river naturally interested him, but so did the people who came, such as saints, seers and devotees. It nurtured an understanding of India’s cultural ethos and strengthened his intention to do something for society.”
“This desire to live for others drew him to the RSS,” he added. “He embraced every responsibility that came his way with enthusiasm, discipline and a sense of duty.”
‘Legendary persona’
Mr. Modi cited two instances that “brought out the legendary persona” of Mr. Singhal. The first was during a convention in the U.S. organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in 1993 to mark 100 years since Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address.
“The vision to host such a conference overseas, the planning and the bringing together of diverse stakeholders revealed the organisational genius of Ashok Ji,” Mr. Modi recalled.
The second was the World Hindu Conference in 2000 organised in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I could see how his presence ignited so much enthusiasm among other delegates,” Mr. Modi said. “After my address, his words of appreciation were a very moving experience for me. I saw yet again how his encouragement filled every Karyakarta with so much energy.”
Ram Janmabhoomi movement
Mr. Modi also highlighted Mr. Singhal’s role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. “Who can forget his address at the Boat Club Rally in 1991?” he asked. “Or the defining image of an injured and bleeding Ashok Ji at the peak of the movement. Today, if there is a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, it is because of stalwarts like him who selflessly immersed themselves in the effort to make it possible.”
“He would have been the happiest person on seeing the Ram Mandir take shape in Ayodhya,” Mr. Modi wrote.
The Prime Minister also noted that Mr. Singhal’s beliefs that our society needs to be harmonious and that the message of brotherhood has to be reaffirmed were clearly visible.
“It was his thought that the first brick of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would be laid by Shri Kameshwar Choupal Ji, a grassroots VHP Karyakarta from Bihar who hailed from the marginalised sections of society,” Mr. Modi said. “At a Dharm Sansad in Kashi, he decided that the Dom Raja would be honoured and went on to work with him as part of various community efforts.”
Mr. Modi expressed hope that more youngsters would learn about Mr. Singhal on his birth centenary, and called for a renewed pledge to “realise his dreams for our nation and our people”.
Published – September 28, 2026 12:45 am IST
