Srinagar: Prof Bhim Singh, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKPP), passed away on Tuesday in a Jammu hospital.
“He was unwell for more than a year and passed away at a hospital in Jammu. He was 81. He is survived by his wife and son. The latter lives in London,” family sources said.
His death has been mourned by a cross-section of the society, including politicians, social workers, businessmen, etc.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the death of Prof Singh. ”Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of Prof. Bhim Singh Ji. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family & friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.
Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah said politics in J&K will be a bit less interesting with the passing of Bhim Singh ji.
“J&K National Panther Party supremo Bhim Singh ji passed away today. My earliest memories of Bhim Singh ji go all the way back to 1984 when he joined with my father to protest the unconstitutional dismissal of the NC government. Bhim Singh ji was a unique politician with friends cutting across political & geographic lines. He supported the cause of Jammu with as much ease as he did the cause of Palestinians. From Yassar Arafat to Col. Gaddafi he seemed to have met them all with amazing stories to tell,” he said.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti too expressed grief over the death of Prof Singh. “Deeply saddened to know of Prof Bhim Singh’s passing away. J&K has lost a legal luminary & and a great leader who fought tooth & nail for his people. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” she tweeted.
