Veteran BJP leader Dr Baldev Raj Chawla passes away

Amritsar, January 17

Veteran BJP leader Dr Baldev Raj Chawla died after a brief illness on Wednesday. He was born on the same date on January 17, 1936.

Senior BJP leaders including Union Minister of State Som Parkash, former state BJP president Ashwani Sharma along with other leaders from the party and Opposition shared grief with the family and paid rich tributes to the departed soul.

He was cremated with state honours at the Durgiana temple cremation ground. Many political leaders attended the funeral. He is survived by his two sons —- former councillor Dr Ram Chawla and Dr Jayant Chawla. Dr Jayant Chawla lit the pyre.

On behalf of national BJP president JP Nadda, Ashwani Sharma laid a wreath while Union minister Som Parkash paid tribute on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, informed Harwinder Singh Sandhu, district BJP president.

Dr Baldev Raj Chawla began his political journey as RSS worker at a very young age. He started his career as Health Officer in Amritsar Municipal Corporation but resigned from his job in protest during the Emergency. He also served jail during the period.

He also worked for Hindu-Sikh unity during the peak days of terrorism in Punjab and remained active during Ram Janam Bhoomi Andolan in the early 90s and was lodged in Tihar jail at that time.

He remained the Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the SAD-BJP government and later served as Punjab Health Minister. He also headed the Atankwad Pidit Samiti besides many religious organisations.

On behalf of state BJP president Sunil Jakhar, state general secretary Rakesh Rathor and on behalf of Union Minister Hardeep Puri, state BJP secretary Suraj Bhardwaj paid homage.

Among others who attended his last rites were former Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik, Naresh Bansal, Laxmi Kanta Chawla, former Deputy Chief Minister Om Parkash Soni and district Congress president Ashwani Pappu.