Agnivesh

Indian social activist (1939–2020)

Agnivesh (born Vepa Shyam Rao; 21 September 1939 – 11 September 2020) was an Indian politician. He was a Member of Legislative Assembly from the Indian state of Haryana, an Arya Samaj scholar.[1] He was best known for his work against bonded labour through the Bonded Labour Liberation Front, which he founded in 1981.[2]

Agnivesh was the president of the World Council of Arya Samaj from 2004 to 2014.[3] and served as the chairperson of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery from 1994 to 2004.[4][5][6] He was born in Srikakulam, Madras Presidency.

Agnivesh died of multiple organ failure on 11 September 2020 in New Delhi, aged 80.[7][8]

References

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  1. "Differences can be resolved through debate: Arya Samaj scholar Agnivesh". Pune Mirror. Archived from the original on 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
  2. "Renowned social activist Swami Agnivesh passes away". The Indian Express. 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  3. About Agnivesh Archived 26 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine agnimanthan.com.
  4. "Who is Swami Agnivesh?". The Indian Express. 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
  5. "Annual Report 2002" (PDF). UNHCR. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  6. Agnivesh – Profile Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia, by Phyllis G. Jestice, ABC-CLIO, 2004. ISBN 1-57607-355-6. Page 25
  7. "Social activist and former MLA Swami Agnivesh passes away". The Economic Times. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  8. "Swami Agnivesh". The Right Livelihood Award. Archived from the original on 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2020-09-11.