Chandigarh, Dec 17 (IANS): The body of Baba Ram Singh, the Sikh priest who committed suicide by shooting self at Singhu border of the national capital on Wednesday in protest against the Centre's farm laws, was kept in Nanaksar Gurdwara in Singhra village in Haryana's Karnal district on Thursday for public homage.

The cremation will be held on Friday.

A large number of his followers, largely from Haryana and Punjab, have started assembling at the gurdwara since early morning. As a preventive step, the police have made special security arrangements there.

The 65-year-old 'sant' left a suicide note which states that he couldn't see the ordeal of farmers who are sitting on the outskirts of the national capital protesting against the farm laws.

The incident drew protests from opposition parties.

"Extremely shocked and saddened on learning of the tragic news of Sant Ram Singhji...My prayers are with his family and supporters in this time of grief," Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in a tweet.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, in a Hindi tweet, wrote: "My condolences and tribute in this hour of grief. Many farmers have sacrificed their lives. The brutality of the Modi government has crossed all limits. The government should quit its stubbornness and withdraw the anti-agricultural law immediately."

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed grief over the incident and urged farmers to exercise "restraint".

"A very sad news has been received that Sant Ram Singh, who dedicated his life to the service of humanity, committed suicide by shooting himself," he said in a video statement.

According to Sirsa, the victim wrote in his suicide note that he was unable to bear the "pain of the farmers".