RSS Ideologue, Senior Journalist MG Vaidya Passes Away At 97

Nagpur: RSS ideologue, senior journalist and ex-legislator Madhav Govind Vaidya passed away in a private hospital here on Saturday. He was 97.

Vaidya is survived by his wife Sunanda and eight children. His children include three daughters Vibhavari G. Naik, Pratibha U. Rajhans, Bharti J. Kahu and five sons Dhananjay, Manmohan, Srinivasa, Shashibhushan and Ram.

One son, Dr. Manmohan is a senior RSS head and another is the co-convenor of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.

Vaidya, a former Member of Maharashtra Legislative Council, had recently recovered from a Covid-19 infection, but was active and alert till the end.

However, his health suddenly deteriorated on Friday and he was rushed to the Spandan Hospital where breathed his last around 3.30 pm this afternoon, a senior RSS worker close to the family told IANS.

His last rites shall be performed at his home in Pratapnagar and the cremation shall be held at Ambazari Ghat in Nagpur on Sunday morning at 9.30 am.

Tributes poured in for Vaidya from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindu organisations and parties as news of his demise spread.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his condolences through his tweets.

छह दशकों से अधिक समय तक राष्ट्रीय विचारधारा की सेवा करने वाले वैद्यजी का निधन एक बहुत बड़ी क्षति है। इस क्षति की भरपाई लगभग असंभव है। मैं दुःख की इस घड़ी में उनके शोकाकुल परिवार के प्रति संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ । ईश्वर उन्हें अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें। ॐ शान्ति!

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 19, 2020

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "He contributed extensively to the RSS for decades. He also worked to strengthen the BJP."

Shri MG Vaidya Ji was a distinguished writer and journalist. He contributed extensively to the RSS for decades. He also worked to strengthen the BJP. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 19, 2020

(With IANS Inputs)