Passing away of RSS Punjab Sah Prant Sanghachalak Jagdish Gagnejaji is a big loss to the Sangh work not only in Punjab, but also for the entire country
RSS Punjab Prant Sah Sanghachalak Brigadier (retd) Jagdish Gagneja succumbed to the fatal bullet injuries that he received during an attack on him by some unidentified assailants on August 6 in busy market of Jalandhar. He breathed his last at Dayananda Medical Hospital of Ludhiana on September 22 after battling with death for about seven weeks. He was 68. He was cremated in Jalandhar the same day after postmortem.
| Loss for entire Sangh Work: Bhaiyaji Joshi The news of passing away of Jagdish Gagnejaji is painful for all of us. A former armyman, he will always be remembered for his ideological commitment and self-less dedication to the Sangh work. We would not have thought of such a tragic end of the attack on him by anti-social elements. The absence of Jagdishji is a big loss not only for the work in Punjab, but also for the entire Sangh work. Such incidents might create temporary hurdles in the work of national reconstruction, but the work will continue as it is the God’s own work. |
A swayamsevak since childhood, Gagneja had education from Bathinda and after completing education he joined the artillery division of the Indian Army in 1971. He enhanced the glory of the army by joining various military operations in more than three decades. After retirement in 2006, he settled in Jalandhar and dedicated himself to the national cause through Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Holding various responsibilities in the organisation he became Punjab Prant Sah Sanghachalak. Apart from it, he worked for bridging the gap developed in the society due to separatism in the State. The impact of these activities reflected in the phenomenal growth of Sangh Shakhas from 600 Shakhas in 2014 to 837 now. Apart from it the Sangh work also received big boost in villages under his leadership.
His simplicity was inspiring. He spontaneously rejected the security cover offered by the administration saying he was not a specific person, but an ordinary citizen of the country. The entire country belongs to him and all are brothers and sisters. There is no threat to any kind from such brothers. “He might not be among us today, but he will always be with the swayamsevaks due to the qualities of discipline, simplicity and his sweet nature. His sacrifice has given new inspiration and energy to the Sangh,” said a statement issued by the Viswha Samvad Kendra on September 22.
“It’s a huge loss to the State and the country. Punjab has lost a forceful voice which articulated the concerns of the State and its people while remaining selflessly away from public glare and shunning personal glory,” said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in his tribute adding that “all his life, he served the nation in the true traditions of a soldier, maintaining a low profile even while contributing in a most significant way to the welfare of Punjab and Punjabis.” “We have lost a great champion of Hindu-Sikh unity and communal harmony but the ideals to which he devoted his life would be upheld by the people. The self-effacing and humble manner in which he took up Punjab’s causes at various national forums will serve as an example to those who place the interests of the State above their own,” the Chief Minister added. He further said the attack on Gagnejaji was an attempt to disturb the hard-earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the State for which he worked hard all his life.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled the demise of Gagnejaji. Former PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa in a tweet said, “My deepest condolences to the family of senior RSS leader Brig (retd) Jagdish Gagneja. May the departed soul rest in peace.” Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley also expressed condolence on the demise of Gagnejaji.
After the police inquiry hit a dead end, the State government handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) widening the probe since the underlying motive in the attack was to disturb peace in Punjab. The State police has also announced job and Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone who could provide information about the attackers. No arrest has been made in the case so far. n
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