Amritsar, August 20
A freedom fighter who had participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942, Mr Kirpal Singh (85), who was also a former MP and President of the Chief Khalsa Dewan today passed away at his son’s house in Jalandhar after a prolonged illness.
The offices of the SGPC , Khalsa College, Chief Khalsa Dewan-run Guru Harkrishan Public Schools, municipal corporation offices remained closed in the second half of the day as a mark of respect.
The body was brought from Jalandhar early in the morning and kept in his house for people to pay their homage. Wreaths were placed on the body on behalf of the Governor, the Chief Minister by the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, respectively. Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, President SGPC,
leaders of various political parties, including the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the CPI, the BJP and the CPM paid floral tributes to the veteran freedom fighter.
The body was taken in a truck from his residence to the office of the Chief Khalsa Dewan, Golden Temple, before it was taken to cremation ground for the last rites. A posse of the police fired the last volley as a part of state honour accorded to the departed leader. His eldest son, Mr Santokh Singh lit the pyre.
Paying tributes to Mr Kirpal Singh, Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister said he was a great educationist who had set up a large number of schools under his patronage as president of the Chief Khalsa Diwan.
The President of the SGPC, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, said his death had left a great void in the political spectrum of the state. The people would always remember him for his upright character and unblemished political career.
Veteran CPI leader Satya Paul Dang described him as a multi-coloured personality who had been in active political life for over six decades. The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Mr S.P. Singh, said he had a long association with Mr Kirpal Singh as a Senator and Syndic of the university.
