Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18: Veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta died after a prolonged illness at his Gandhi Nagar residence here today, days after undergoing successful treatment for COVID-19 at Narayana Hospital Katra, his family said.
Gupta (87) is survived by his two sons and a daughter.
“He had tested positive for COVID-19 on May 5 and returned from Narayana Hospital on Sunday after successful treatment. His condition suddenly deteriorated in the wee hours and he breathed his last around 5.10 am,” his elder son, Anil Gupta said.
Born in Jammu on April 13, 1934, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was not in good health for the last couple of years as he was suffering from various ailments and was hardly seen in public life.
The deceased leader had an illustrious political career spanning over five decades after he became a member of the J&K Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1972. He was again a member of J&K Legislative Assembly between 2008 and 2014.
He was elected to the 11th Lok Sabha from Udhampur constituency of Jammu in 1996 and re-elected to 12th and 13th Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999.
Chaman Lal Gupta was Union Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation between October 13, 1999 and September 1, 2001, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (September 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002) and Union Minister of State for Defence (July 1, 2002 to 2004) during Atal Behari Vajpayee led NDA Government at Centre.
An author of three books in Hindi and a two-time J&K BJP president, he had completed his MSc from G M Science college Jammu and Allahabad University (UP).
The last rites of the deceased leader were performed later in the day at Jogi Gate Cremation Ground, his son said.
Prof Gupta had played a key role in J&K politics for over 50 years and did not compromise on his political ideology till his last breath. He remained a dedicated soldier of RSS with which he was associated from his student life and after relinquishing his Government service in late fifties he worked as Sangh Pracharak in Gujarat for several years.
Prof Gupta was the brain behind establishing of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in erstwhile Doda district and other hilly reaches of Jammu region after the militants indulged in massacres in these areas to force the minorities to flee from there.
A staunch nationalist, Prof Gupta also fought for the rights of nationalist forces in the erstwhile State of J&K and stood like a rock against the terrorism and disruptive forces.
He was also of the opinion that no package to Kashmir will be fruitful unless and until the displaced Pandits the aborigines of Valley who were forced to migrate will be settled there with honour and dignity.
Prof Gupta was also associated with social and charitable organisation and was the patron of Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission. He had also remained its president for a quite long time.
People from all walks of life have expressed their profound grief and shock over his demise.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of Prof Gupta. In a tweet he said “Chaman Lal Gupta will be remembered for numerous community service efforts,. He was a dedicated Legislator and strengthened the BJP across Jammu and Kashmir”. The Prime Minister said that he was pained by his demise. “My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief”.
Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh has expressed his profound grief and shock over the demise of Prof Gupta.
In his tweet, Dr Jitendra Singh said that he was saddened by the demise of party stalwart and great leader Prof Gupta.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that he was an inspiration for all of us and a strong pillar of the party. His demise has created a big void in political circles of J&K which will not be filled up for a long time.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid rich tributes to the departed leader and said he would be remembered for his immense contribution towards welfare of the people.
“Deeply pained to hear about the passing away of former Union Minister, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta Ji. A seasoned politician & a widely respected public figure, his demise is a great loss to the political sphere,” the office of the Lt Governor J&K said in a tweet.
In another tweet, it said “he will always be remembered for his immense contribution towards welfare of the people. My condolences to his family and friends.”
RSS Seh Sarkarivah, Arun Kumar has also expressed his profound grief and shock over the demise of Prof Gupta and termed him a great patriot whom nation will always remember for his services.
National Conference (NC) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president, Omar Abdullah have also expressed grief over the demise of veteran BJP leader Prof Gupta. In their condolence messages they described Prof Gupta a seasoned politician, who served the people in different capacities and contributed towards their welfare. The two leaders conveyed their condolences to bereaved family.
Former Union Minster and ex Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has also expressed his grief on the demise of Prof Gupta. He said Prof Gupta was a very scholarly leader of BJP who lived a simple life and served the people of J&K as MLA, MP and Union Minister. He as a Union Minister maintained a very good rapport with the people and other political leaders across party lines.
BJP national general secretary and incharge J&K, Tarun Chug has expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of veteran and leader and he conveyed his condolences to bereaved family.
N C provincial president, Devender Singh Rana also expressed his grief over demise of Prof Gupta.
President JKNPP Prof Bhim Singh has expressed his grief and shock over the demise of Prof Gupta.
BJP State president Ravinder Raina, party general secretary, Ashok Kaul, vice president, Yudhvir Sethi, former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta, former Minister, Sat Sharma, party leader and chairman, Tawi Andolan, Chander Mohan Sharma, Displaced District BJP president, Chand Ji Bhat and other leaders of the party have expressed their profound grief over the demise of veteran leader and former Minister.
Congress president, G A Mir, former Minister and senior party leader, Raman Bhalla, Apni Party, vice president and former Minister, Ch Zulfkar Ali, Chairman Peoples Democratic Front and former Minister, Hakeem Yaseen,CPI (M) senior leader and ex MLA , Mohammed Yousf Tarigami, Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior vice president, Anil Gupta, junior vice president, Rajeev Gupta, secretary general, Gaurav Gupta and secretary Rajesh Gupta have expressed their profound grief and sorrow over demise of veteran leader of J&K.
Freedom Fighters Memorial Association, chairman, Ved Gandotra, vice chairman Rajiv Mahajan and other members have also condoled the demise of Prof Gupta. Janata Dal Secular, president, Mastnath Yogi has also expressed his grief and sorrow over demise of former Union Minister.
Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission Charitable Hospital, Jammu has condoled the demise of Prof Gupta. Its staff and other office bearers observed two minutes silence in the memory of departed soul and prayed for peace of the noble soul.
DDC chairman Kathua, Man Singh, former Minister and Apni Party vice president, Manjeet Singh, J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association, CEO, Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, , Surinder Mohan its general secretary and other members of the Association also condoled the demise of Prof Gupta.
Senior Citizens Association, president and BJP leader Shiv Kumar Sharma, KP Sabha Jammu president, K K Khosa and its other members, ASKPC president, R K Wangnoo, its general secretary, R K Raina and B B Bhat Gosani, KPC president, Kundan Kashmiri, KP social activists, Ashok Kangan, Hira Lal Bhat, Bushan Lal Bhat , and All India Migrant Camp Coordination Committee president, Desh Rattan have condoled the demise of Prof Gupta.
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