Senior BJP leader Suraj Bhan passed away

New Delhi, Aug 06: Suraj Bhan, senior BJP leader and  chairman of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Commission died of cardiac arrest here today.

An agriculturist and later lawyer by profession, Bhan made his entry in politics in 1960 when he commenced his association with Bharatiya Jan Sangh.

Known as a committed crusader against casteism and for upliftment and welfare of the backward classes, Bhan was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Ambala seat in Haryana and was Deputy Speaker of the house during 1996-97. He had also served as Union Agriculture Minister in 1996. Hailing from Haryana, he served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar.

Bhan is credited with having taken up the issue of clearance of backlog in reservations and other issues concerning the Dalits, the SC and the ST.

He fought relentlessly against casteism and worked for the upliftment and welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, labourers and farmers.

Bhan was chairman of the joint parliamentary committee that revised the list of SCs and STs in 1978-79.

He was appointed chairman of the SC/ST Commission on February 24, 2004.

Bhan had also served as Revenue Minister of Haryana and leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

The 78-year-old Bhan, who was admitted to AIIMS two days back following several complications, is survived by his wife, four daughters and three sons.

Courtesy:Zeenews