Politicians condole demise of Nirankari sect's spiritual head Baba Hardev Singh

Baba Hardev Singh, spiritual head of Sant Nirankari Mission, died in a road accident in Montreal, Canada, an official of the organisation said in New Delhi on Friday.

Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh

Kripasagar, press and publicity incharge of the mission, said they were deeply saddened by the news Baba Hardev Singh's death. He was 62.

"It was sudden and sad news for us," Kripasagar said.

Sonia Gandhi expressed shock and grief over the death of Baba Hardev Singh and offered condolences to all his followers. "Spiritual values of equality and simplicity perpetuated by him and the Nirankari Samaj will forever remain relevant," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other ministers offered their condolences on Twitter.

Who is Baba Hardev Singh?
Baba Hardev Singh was born on February 23, 1954 in Delhi to Gurbachan Singh and Kulwant Kaur. He did his early schooling at Rosary Public School. He was also a student of Delhi University. In 1971, he joined the Nirankari Sewa Dal as its primary member. He married Savinder Kaur in 1958.

After the assassination of his father, Gurabachan Singh, who was also then head of the Sant Nirankari Mission in 1980, he succeeded as the 'Satguru' of the organisation.

What is Sant Nirankari Mission?
Sant Nirankari Mission was established by Baba Buta Singh in 1929. The mission was first based in West Punjab after which it shifted base to Delhi after partition of India in 1947.