NEW DELHI: Prof. Bhim Singh, founder and president of the National Panthers Party in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away in a Jammu hospital on Tuesday after being unwell for the past one month. He was 81 and leaves behind his Delhi-based wife Jai Mala and son Ankit Love, who lives in London.
A former MLA from Udhampur, maverick Bhim Singh spent most of his political life actively moving between Delhi and Jammu. He had started his political career from the Youth Congress. He was also a senior advocate in the Supreme Court and fought many public interest litigations. A human rights activist, Bhim Singh was quite adventerous and uncompromising and a fighter for many causes, providing legal aid to many helpless prisoners.
He is credited for securing the release of nearly 300 Pakistani nationals and Afghans languishing in the Indian jails across the country for decades. He was a widely travelled leader, who had obtained a Bar at Law from the University of London.
Prof. Bhim Singh was named by deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as one of his advocates to plead his case before a tribunal set up to try him following his arrest. Both were friends for many years and Saddam’s interview by Bhim Singh was broadcast by the All India Radio. He was a vocal supporter of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat whom he first met in 1968. He also met Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1971.
In his condolence tweet, Prime Minister Modi said: “Prof Bhim Singh Ji will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. He was very well read and scholarly. I will always recall my interactions with him. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
