Raghuvansh Prasad Singh's Final Journey: A Farewell Steeped in Emotion
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh’s story ended on a somber note on September 13, 2020, but not without a wave of tributes for his decades of public service. The 74-year-old spent his final days fighting complications after COVID-19, having contracted the virus back in June. Despite receiving treatment first in Patna and then at AIIMS Delhi, his health worsened, forcing doctors to put him on a ventilator. He took his last breath at 11 AM, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Bihar’s politics for generations.
There’s a certain hush that falls when a political giant like Singh passes. His death was not one that only the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) or his closest allies mourned — condolences poured in from every corner, right up to the Prime Minister’s office. PM Narendra Modi, while speaking at a Bihar event, took a moment to remember Singh’s outstanding dedication to the underserved and highlighted the persistence in the letters he wrote days before his death. Those notes, penned from his hospital bed, carried a tone of unfinished business; Modi touched on that "spirit," urging everyone to continue Singh’s fight for justice and equality.
Resignation from RJD and a Unified Political Tribute
Just days before passing away, Singh sent shockwaves through the political landscape by resigning from the RJD, the very party he had stood by through thick and thin. His resignation letter, handwritten and reserved, was addressed to Lalu Prasad Yadav. Singh and Lalu carried a long association, championing the cause of Bihar’s most vulnerable communities. The timing and content of the resignation raised eyebrows, and many saw it as a final statement from a leader who never shied from difficult conversations, even in his last days.
When his mortal remains arrived in Patna, the capital city paused. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was at the airport, joined by a procession of leaders cutting across party lines—BJP, JD(U), Congress, and of course, the RJD. Each came up to pay their last respects, some silently, some with brief words about Singh's unshakable commitment. Lalu Prasad Yadav, still visibly reeling from the news, released an emotional message on social media, reflecting both shock and fond remembrance. This scene made it obvious that Singh’s influence went far beyond loyalties or party affiliations; his role in shaping Bihar’s policies—especially those favoring small farmers and rural folk—had left a mark that no political shift could erase.
For many, Singh isn’t just another name in politics. Whether it was leading the charge on rural reforms as a Union Minister or speaking up for the people who rarely make headlines, his work created ripples, both in Parliament and in muddy Bihar villages. It's not every day you see leaders from all sides set differences aside to honor a colleague. But that’s what happened when Singh was brought home for the last time—a gathering fitting for a man who spent his life bridging divides and delivering results for the state he loved.
