Devotees throng ashram to pay last respects to Nirankari chief

Syed Ali Ahmed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 17

Despite the scorching sun, devotees from across the country and abroad thronged Nirankari Mission Ashram at Burari in Delhi to pay their last respects to mission head Hardev Singh, whose body is kept in a coffin.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal, former Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, too, paid tributes to the spiritual head.

His body will be cremated tomorrow at the CNG crematorium at Nigam Bodh Ghat at 12 noon. The body will be taken out in a procession at 9 am from Nirankari Ashram.

Rumours are strife that the new head of the mission will be announced tomorrow after a tribute meeting.

Meanwhile, amid the wave of mourning, many were seen wailing. A woman, Murti, who came from Jind, became unconscious just after she bowed her head in respect for the spiritual head. Another fell down while crying. Many such scenes were witnessed.

Nachhttar Singh, who came from Victoria in Australia, said, “Baba was spreading the message of peace and love. His demise has left a vacuum that cannot be filled.”

Anita, a 70-year old woman who came from Bhopal, and Irani from Mumbai said they had been associated with the Nirankari Mission for many years. They said his untimely demise was a major loss for devotees across the world.

A physically challenged woman, Savita, who came from Rohtak, said, “Though it was difficult to come in this scorching heat, Baba’s love had brought me here.”

Rashmi of West Delhi said, “He was so humble that he used to sit on the ground along with my father at our home. I feel like I have lost my father.” The rush of devotees could be seen from Ring Road to Nirankari Ashram, causing traffic jams throughout the day.

Soni, other Cong leaders to attend cremation

Chandigarh: Chairperson of the Campaign Committee of the Punjab Congress, Ambika Soni will lead a delegation at the funeral of Sant Nirankari Mission chief Baba Hardev Singh being performed in New Delhi on Wednesday. Disclosing this here today, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh said that since he could not attend the funeral himself he had deputed former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Jalandhar MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh to represent the PCC.— TNS