Minister, Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan passes away

INDIAN minister Ram Vilas Paswan, one of the most prominent Dalit leaders of the country who had been a part of several governments headed by rival parties, died on Thursday at the age of 74.

The Lok Janshakti Party founder and Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution was admitted to a private hospital for several weeks and had recently undergone a heart operation.

Always at the forefront of raising issues concerning the disadvantaged sections of society, Paswan was also a skilful grassroots politician who enjoyed good equations with leaders across the spectrum, and his dedicated following in his home state of Bihar ensured that every national party courted him in his over five decades of career.

His demise could not have come at a more inopportune time for his 37-year-old son Chirag Paswan who is now leading the party his father founded in 2000 to a crucial Assembly polls in Bihar, beginning October 28.

‘Papa, you are no more in this world but I know you are with me wherever you are. Miss you papa,’ Chirag Paswan tweeted.

Expressing grief at Paswan’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened beyond words as his death has left a void in the nation that will perhaps never be filled.

‘Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji’s demise is a personal loss. I have lost a friend, valued colleague and someone who was extremely passionate to ensure every poor person leads a life of dignity,’ Modi said in his condolence message.

The prime minister also said Paswan ‘rose in politics through hardwork and determination. As a young leader, he resisted tyranny and the assault on our democracy during the Emergency. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian and Minister, making lasting contributions in several policy areas.’

‘Working together, shoulder to shoulder with Paswan Ji has been an incredible experience. His interventions during Cabinet Meetings were insightful. From political wisdom, statesmanship to governance issues, he was brilliant. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,’ Modi said in another tweet.

Several leaders, including his cabinet colleagues, chief ministers and governors, also expressed their condolences over Paswan’s demise.

Born in Khagaria in 1946, Paswan was selected as a police official but chose the calling of politics and became an MLA for the first time in 1969 on a Samyukta Socialist Party ticket.