Rana’s Demise Shocking, He Worked Diligently For J&K’s Progress, Played A Noteworthy Role In Making BJP Stronger, Was A Veteran Leader: PM Modi
Ranas’s Demise An Irreperable Loss For BJP Family, He Was Dedicated to Peace & Development In J&K: HM Amit Shah
“Void Created By Rana’s Demise Will Haunt Me For Rest Of My Life”, Says Dr Jitendra
In Rana’s Demise Country Lost A Patriotic, Widely Respected Leader, Was Committed To Well Beig Of J&K People, Offers Condolences to His Family: LG Sinha
Rana Taken From Us All Too Soon, Will Be Missed, My Heart Goes Out To Family As I Struggle To Find Words To Convey My Condolences: CM Omar
Devender Was A Wise Man, Had Good Relations With Us; Dr Farooq
Srinagar: Senior BBJP MLA and former National Conference (NC) leader Devender Singh Rana passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Haryana. He was cremated on Friday at Shastri Nagar Cremation Ground in Jammu.
On Friday afternoon, Rana’s mortal remains were brought to his home in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, where thousands of people, including top political leaders and his brother, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, gathered to pay their respects. His body was then taken in a flower-adorned vehicle in a procession to the cremation ground.
As the procession made its way, chants of “Devender Singh Rana Amar Rahay” echoed through the streets, and emotional crowds surged, breaking barricades to catch a glimpse of the funeral. The last rites were performed by Rana’s son, who lit the pyre in an atmosphere filled with grief.
Leaders from across the political spectrum attended the funeral. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary were among those who visited Rana’s residence to offer their condolences. Deputy CM Choudhary expressed deep sorrow, calling Rana “the voice of Jammu.”
“Jammu has lost a significant leader, someone who truly represented the people of this region. Words cannot capture the depth of our loss,” Choudhary said outside Rana’s residence. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not address the media but quietly paid his respects before leaving.
A large crowd of politicians, social activists, and ordinary citizens followed the funeral procession from Gandhi Nagar to the cremation ground, reflecting the widespread admiration and respect for Rana.
Devender Singh Rana had a notable political journey. He once served as the National Conference’s provincial president for Jammu but made headlines in October 2021 when he, along with Surjit Singh Salathia, left the NC to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences and said that the BJP leader worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress. “Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji’s untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir’s progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” PM Modi posted on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the demise of Devender Singh Rana is an irreparable loss for the BJP family, and added that the leader was dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that the demise of his brother and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt him for the rest of his life. “Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Singh posted on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered his condolences on the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana and shared some of the fun moments spent with the BJP leader. “The terrible news from late last night isn’t really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together and the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon and will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them,” J&K CM posted on X.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday expressed condolences over the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, describing him as a “wise man” and acknowledging their past ties. “We had good relations with him, but in 2021 he left the National Conference. We never made any statement against him. Death is inevitable and spares no one. Whoever has come has to go,” Abdullah said. Offering support, he added, “May God give courage to his family to bear this shock… We are with them in this grief.” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that he is deeply shocked by the demise of Devender Singh Rana.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Devender Singh Rana Ji, MLA, Nagrota, J&K. A dedicated BJP leader and a true representative of the people of J&K. His invaluable contributions, warmth, and commitment to service will be remembered by all. This is an immense loss to our BJP family and to the people he served so selflessly. My heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God grant his loved ones strength to bear this profound loss,” Tarun Chugh posted on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the country has lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was devoted to the welfare of the people in the union territory. In a post on X, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha wrote, “I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Devender Singh Rana. In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
The 59-year-old politician, Devender Singh Rana, was recently re-elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Nagrota Assembly seat in Jammu and Kashmir. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Rana hailed from Doda District but had settled in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. He was the brother of senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Party leaders and members from across the country have been expressing their condolences over his passing. Rana, the founder of JamKash Vehicleades, made headlines in 2021 when he ended his two-decade-long association with the National Conference (NC) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A businessman-turned-politician, Rana recently won his second term as the Nagrota MLA, securing a significant victory margin of 30,472 votes over his closest NC rival, Joginder Singh. He had initially won the Nagrota seat in the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.
