Ex-BJP MLA to ‘Ambulance Man’ to Padma Shri: New AAP recruit Shunty’s journey

Apart from his political stint, Shunty has been a social activist. He is dubbed the “Ambulance Man” of Delhi for his role in ensuring the cremation of dead bodies during the Covid pandemic. He helps people by providing them with emergency ambulance services. He has also made his mark in the blood donation campaign, donating blood himself for about 100 times.

Shunty was awarded Padma Shri in 2021 for his social service work during the Covid pandemic.

He also runs an NGO, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal, which is known for cremating unclaimed bodies and do their last rites as per the Hindu and Sikh religious rituals.

Shunty launched his NGO after witnessing an incident about 30 years ago when he saw a man collecting burnt wood at Delhi’s Nigambodh crematorium, thinking that he was a thief. “I found it later that the man did not have money to buy wood to cremate his son,” Shunty told The Indian Express earlier.

His political innings started in 2008 when he successfully contested as an Independent candidate in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls from the Jhilmil ward. Later, he joined the BJP.

After serving as an MCD councillor twice, Shunty fought his first Assembly election from Shahdara in 2013 as a BJP candidate, which he won by over 15,000 votes. However, in the 2015 polls, he was defeated by the AAP’s Goel by over 11,700 votes.

At his induction event, Kejriwal welcomed Shunty into the AAP fold, saying “Shunty is renowned not just in Delhi or the country but also internationally for his exceptional contributions to social service. For the past 39 years, he has dedicated himself selflessly to serving society. When many families refused to claim the bodies of their loved ones out of fear during the pandemic, he was there.”

On his part, Shunty said he had “distanced” himself from politics for a long time despite having been elected as a public representative thrice to focus on social work. He said during the pandemic Kejriwal called him to say that he also wanted to contribute to this cause. “That is when I thought we share the same purpose,” he said.

Shunty went on to say, “Initially, I was reluctant to return to politics, but Kejriwal ji convinced me by saying that ‘we serve the needs of the living, and you serve the needs of the deceased – together, we can ensure that every vulnerable individual receives respect in life and dignity in death’. His words resonated with me, and I realised this partnership could amplify my work and bring dignity to the poor during their lives and after their passing.”

Giving hints about his plan to contest the upcoming polls as an AAP candidate, Shunty said: “For the first time, the Delhi Assembly will focus on the human rights of the helpless and unclaimed deceased… I voluntarily decided to re-enter politics – not for power, but as a medium to earn blessings.”