RSS ideologue Madan Das Devi passes away

Veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Madan Das Devi who had served as the joint secretary of the outfit, passed away here on Monday morning.

Hailing from Maharashtra, the 81-year old Hindutva ideologue died at the Rashtrotthan Hospital after a prolonged illness, an RSS functionary told PTI.

He said Devi's mortal remains will be kept at the RSS local headquarters, Keshava Kripa from 1:30 pm to 4 pm before being flown to Pune for the last rites on Tuesday.

According to him, the RSS ideologue was instrumental in developing leadership skills among top-rung BJP and RSS leaders.

A full-time Pracharak (campaigner), Devi was staying in Bengaluru for treatment of his old age-related ailment.

"Devi had served as the RSS joint general secretary and organisation secretary of the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He was responsible for developing leadership skills among the national level top rung BJP leaders you see today," the RSS functionary said.

राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के वरिष्ठ प्रचारक श्री मदन दास देवी जी का आज प्रातः 5.00 बजे बेंगलुरू के राष्ट्रोत्थान अस्पताल में देहावसान हो गया। वे 81 वर्ष के थे। वे राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ के सह सरकार्यवाह, अखिल भारतीय विद्यार्थी परिषद के अखिल भारतीय संगठन मंत्री के दायित्व पर रहे… pic.twitter.com/xdRavuPQGu

— RSS (@RSSorg) July 24, 2023

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Sri Madam Das Devi Ji. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation. I was not only closely associated with him but also had the opportunity to learn many things from him. May God give strength to all the workers and his family members in this moment of grief. Om Shanti."

श्री मदन दास देवी जी के देहावसान से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उन्होंने अपना पूरा जीवन राष्ट्रसेवा में समर्पित कर दिया। उनसे मेरा न सिर्फ घनिष्ठ जुड़ाव रहा, बल्कि हमेशा बहुत कुछ सीखने को मिला। शोक की इस घड़ी में ईश्वर सभी कार्यकर्ताओं और उनके परिवारजनों को संबल प्रदान करे। ओम शांति!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2023

In its message, the RSS said, "Shri Madan Das Devi, a senior Pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, passed away at Rashtrotthan Hospital in Bengaluru at 5 am. He was 81 years old. He was on the responsibility of All India Organisation Minister of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Co-Sarkaryavah of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."