Social activist Swami Agnivesh passes away at Delhi hospital at 80

Social activist Swami Agnivesh died of multi-organ failure at Delhi’s Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences on Friday (September 11). He was 80.

Swami Agnivesh was suffering from liver cirrhosis for a long time and was critically ill. He was critically ill and admitted to ICU of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, and was on ventilatory support since Tuesday, doctors said.

“He was suffering from liver cirrhosis and died today due to multi-organ failure as his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest at 6 pm,” a spokesperson of the hospital said. Resuscitation was attempted but he passed away at 6:30 pm, he said.

Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan said the demise of Swami Agnivesh is a huge tragedy.

“A true warrior for humanity & tolerance. Among the bravest that I knew, willing to take huge risks for public good. Was brutalised in Jharkhand by a BJP/RSS lynch mob 2 yrs ago. Liver got damaged. RIP Agnivesh ji (sic),” said Mr. Bhushan in a tweet.

Swami Agnivesh, a former MLA from Haryana, had extensively campaigned against female foeticide and the emancipation of women and also advocated for interfaith dialogues.

Earlier this year, at a rally in Kerala, he exchanged his saffron turban with the skull cap of an IUML leader in a show of communal harmony and in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that those spreading violence can be identified by their clothes.

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