Social activist Swami Agnivesh passes away

New Delhi: Social activist and former politician Swami Agnivesh has breathed his last at the Institute of Liver and Billary Sciences (ILBS) where he was admitted due to multi-organ failure.

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. He was a regular presence in anti-right wing platforms where he pledged his unwavering support to the fight for true democratic spirits.

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

Swami Agnivesh was awarded Right Livelihood Award in 2004. In the same year he was conferred Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award.

Agnivesh also authored several books including Harvest of Hate: Gujarat Under Siege and Hinduism in the New Age.