Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 27 September 2026, paid tribute to late Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Working President Ashok Singhal on his 100th birth anniversary, describing himself as 'fortunate' to have participated alongside Singhal in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The remarks came during the 138th episode of Modi's monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.

Modi's Tribute to Ashok Singhal

'Today is the 100th birth anniversary of a great man who dedicated his life to culture, society and the nation,' the Prime Minister said during the broadcast. Modi described Singhal — who was born on 27 September 1926 in Agra — as having lived an 'ascetic life', despite coming from a privileged background.

Recalling his personal association, Modi said: 'I have been extremely fortunate not only to witness his life from close quarters, but I also had the opportunity to join him in this mission.' He added that Singhal's direction and energy were instrumental in realising the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and that he was constantly reminded of the veteran leader during the consecration ceremony in 2024.

A Life Beyond the Temple Movement

Prime Minister Modi highlighted aspects of Singhal's life that, in his view, have not received adequate public attention. 'Along with the Ram Temple movement, he also fought a major battle against social discrimination and inequality,' Modi said.

Singhal, who graduated from IIT BHU, came from a prosperous family — his father was a civil servant and most of his siblings held senior positions. Yet he chose a life of public service. 'He dedicated his life to society and culture, which is the hallmark of great people,' Modi underlined, before offering tributes 'on behalf of his crores of admirers.'

Surgical Strike: 10 Years of a Historic Military Operation

The Prime Minister also used the Mann Ki Baat address to mark the approaching 10th anniversary of the surgical strike carried out by the Indian Army on 28-29 September 2016, against terrorist hideouts across the Line of Control (LoC).

'The world was astonished to see how our brave soldiers took action against terrorism by crossing the Line of Control,' Modi said. He described the operation as a demonstration of India's anti-terrorism policy and a 'major historical achievement of Bharat.' The surgical strike anniversary falls on 28-29 September, one day after the broadcast.

Context and Significance

Ashok Singhal, who passed away in 2015, was one of the most prominent figures in the campaign to build a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, a movement that spanned several decades and culminated in the Supreme Court verdict of 2019 and the temple's consecration under Modi's government in January 2024. Modi's tribute on the centenary of Singhal's birth reaffirms the ideological significance the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Sangh Parivar attach to the Ram Janmabhoomi cause. This is the first time Singhal's birth centenary has been formally observed at such a high level by a sitting Prime Minister.