Jitender Singh Shunty
Quick Facts
Biography
Jitender Singh 'Shunty' (born1 August 1962), is an Indian politician and social worker. Shunty was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly from Shahdara from Bhartiya Janta Party in 2013. Jitender Singh Shunty is the founder of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal, an NGO that helps to cremate unclaimed bodies and immerse the ashes as guided by the Hindu and Sikh religion. The NGO organises blood donation camps and provides blood free of cost to the needy patients. It also provides free ambulance service and works in the field of disaster management.
Early Life and Career
Jitender Singh 'Shunty' was born to Late Pritpal Singh in Delhi. He was married to Mann kaur 'Shunty'. Jitender founded the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal in 1996. He started his career in politics as an independent councillor from Jhilmil ward in Delhi. However, Shunty became a part of the BJP in 2008 and contested for the councillor elections from Jhilmil ward of the East municipal corporation and won the elections. Shunty contested his first Delhi Assembly election in 2013, and won from the Shahdara constituency with 45,364 votes.
Controversy
- In September 2014, Jitender Singh Shunty was shot by an unidentified gunman. Shunty was able to dodge the bullet and remain unharmed. Shunty had been reportedly attacked twice before this in 2013 and 2007. The incident happened at his residence in Vivek Vihar in Delhi.
- In December 2018, Shunty filed an FIR against actor Nasiruddin Shah for his statement saying that he was worried for the security of his children in India
- In December 2018, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal led a protest against Government of Pakistan for Violating Human Rights outside the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi
Award & Achievements
- 'First Sikh in the world to donate blood 100 times' and the title of 'Donor Singh', awarded by Delhi State Blood Transfusion Council
- RED & White Bravery Award - 2000 (Social Service)
- A Documentary film made on Jitender Singh Shunty, which was titled "Angels for the Dead".The film received the Gold medal in the Zoie film festival at Georgia
- ISBTI- Chapter award for donating blood 70 times
- 100 times Blood Donor World Record in World Book of Records
- Centurion Award by The National Blood Transfusion Council (Government of India) & Delhi State Blood Transfusion Council (Govt. of NCT of Delhi)