Mohan Bhagwat leads tributes for first Sikh RSS pracharak who stood for Punjabi

In a joint statement, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale have offered their condolences and recognised Chiranjeev Singh’s lifelong “dedication to the RSS, nation, and his role in fostering unity and social harmony”.

Chiranjeev Singh (File)

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Tributes have poured in from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP for Chiranjeev Singh, a senior pracharak of the RSS, who passed away in Ludhiana on Monday morning. Known as the first Sikh RSS pracharak, Chiranjeev Singh was cremated in his hometown (Patiala) on Tuesday.

In a joint statement, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale have offered their condolences and recognised Chiranjeev Singh’s lifelong “dedication to the RSS, nation, and his role in fostering unity and social harmony”.

Punjab BJP leader Parminder Singh Brar attended the cremation and also offered his condolences to the family.

Born five years after the RSS came into existence, the 93-year-old was a prominent figure in the Sangh. Born on October 1, 1930, in Patiala, Chiranjeev Singh was drawn to temples and gurdwaras in his early life. He fell under the influence of the Sangh in 1944 during a visit to a local shakha with his friend Ravi.

Active during the 1948 ban on the RSS, Chiranjeev Singh spent two months in jail. After completing his BA in 1952, he joined the RSS as a pracharak in 1953. His service extended to various places, including Malerkotla, Sangrur, Patiala, Ropar, and Ludhiana, where he remained for 21 years.

He was also a founding member of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat and became its president in 1990. Chiranjeev Singh travelled to multiple countries, spreading the ideals of the Sangh. In 2003, due to health reasons, he stepped down from active responsibilities but continued his service until 2021.

During the Punjabi Suba movement, some right-wing bodies had given a call to the Punjabi Hindu community to register their mother tongue as Hindi during the Census. But Chiranjeev Singh stood for Punjabi.

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“It was during the Punjabi Suba movement that some people of Arya Samaj insisted the Punjabi Hindu community mention their mother tongue as Hindi during the Census. It had created bitterness in society. At that time, Chiranjeev Singh ji had approached M S Golwalkar (known as Guruji and one of the most influential figures in RSS). Then Golwalkar came to Punjab and said that the mother tongue of all Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims living in Punjab is Punjabi and they should register their mother tongue as Punjabi. It was a big contribution of Chiranjeev Singh to promote Punjabi language,” said Avtar Singh Shastri, former general secretary, Rashtriya Sikh Sangat.

Chiranjeev Singh also played an important role in defusing the tension between Sikh bodies and some national institutions during and after the militancy, added Shastri.

“Chiranjeev Singh approached Damdami Taksal head Baba Thakur Singh ji. He also had good relations with Giani Puran Singh, former Akal Takht Jathedar, and the then SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra and former Punjab CM Surjit Singh Barnala. He also enjoyed good relations with Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal. He played a key role in restoring peace in Punjab,” said Shastri.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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