Swami Agnivesh, Arya Samaj leader, breathed his last today. He was suffering from liver cirrhosis.
The social activist had been on the ventilatory support since Tuesday after suffering multiple organ failure.
“On September 11, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest at 6 pm. Resuscitation was attempted but the stalwart passed away at 6:30 pm. ILBS joins the country in mourning the loss of this beloved leader,” the hospital said in a statement.
Arya Sabha, that was based on the principles of the Arya Samaj in 1970. The 80-year-old activist was a former MLA from Haryana and he had also founded a political party. Swami Agnivesh was also an advocate for dialogue between religions.
He was involved with several social movements including Anna Hazare’s India Against Corruption’s campaign in 2011 to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill.
The Arya Samaj leader had extensively worked in various areas of social activism including campaigns against female foeticide and the emancipation of women.