Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condoles passing away of the founder of Bharat Mata Mandir Haridwar, Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Ji Maharaj

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condoled the demise of renowned seer Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Ji Maharaj, who attained Maha Samadhi in Dehradun on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old head of Bharat Mata Janhit Trust was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dehradun, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadeshanand Giri Maharaj said. “The ‘samadhi’ will be at Haridwar-based Raghav Kutir on Wednesday,” he said.

“We are immensely distressed by the departure of His Holiness Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Ji Maharaj to the heavenly abode. He was a pillar of strength for the Bharatiya world of Dharma. For the karyakartas of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he was a very dear mentor. His pure, friendly, service-oriented and dedicated life was basis for a social life of purity and balance,” RSS Sarsanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat and Sarkaryavah Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi said in a joint statement.

“He was a saint who asserted himself against social stigmas and social inequalities and supported the cause of social harmony. It is indeed a responsibility on all of us work to fill the vacuum that has been created in these fields by his departure. We may not physically see him any more but his spirit will continue to inspire and nurture us. We offer a tearful and emotional tribute to his sacred memory,” they added.

President Ram Nath Kovind also tweeted, “Sad to hear of the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj. A recipient of Padma Bhushan, he contributed immensely to our society and dedicated his entire life for the welfare of underprivileged people. My condolences are with his countless followers.”

“Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj who founded Bharat Mata temple in Haridwar,” Vice President Shri M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted. He said the spiritual leader “rendered invaluable services and established Samanvaya Seva Foundation to serve poor people from tribal and hilly areas by providing free education and medical facilities”.

Expressing his grief on the demise of Poojya Swamiji, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi tweeted, “He devoted his life towards empowering the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. He was extremely proud of India’s rich history and culture. My tributes to this divine soul. Om Shanti.”

Seers representing sects like the Akhada Parishad, Bharat Sadhu Samaj and Gayatri Parivar also expressed tribute to Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Ji Maharaj. “Swamiji was an ideal for the Sant Samaj. Even I had met him personally on several occasions to take his guidance,” Pranav Pandya, head of Gayatri Parivar said.