Srinagar, August 15:(KNS)  The demise of renowned religious personality and prominent Gujjar leader, Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi, is a huge loss to the society as the deceased was always at the forefront of working for the downtrodden sections of the society.

The deceased was widely respected and prominently followed across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country and for his contributions to the society was awarded Padma Bhushan (the third highest civilian award), by the government of India on 26 January 2008. Upliftment and progress of every individual was the hallmark of his political career.

In his entire life he always preached peace and always opposed divisive politics. At a time when divisive politics has taken a center stage across the country, the demise of Mian Bashir sahib is a huge loss to the society.

I express my sincere sympathies with whole Mian family, including his son Mian Altaf Ahmad.(KNS)