Dalit BJP leader Kameshwar Chaupal died at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital on Friday. He was 69. Chaupal played a key role in the Ram temple movement and he was the one who laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya. Prime minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed their grief at his demise.
Chaupal was born in Bihar’s Supaul and dedicated his life for the cause of construction of Ram temple. He was a member of Bihar legislative Council from 2012-2014. He was fielded by BJP in 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Supaul but he lost it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of senior BJP leader and trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Kameshwar Chaupal ji. He was a dedicated Ram Bhakt who made a valuable contribution in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recollected his important role during the stone foundation ceremony in 1989. The chief minister wrote on X, “The demise of Shri Kameshwar Chaupal ji, Central Vice President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and great Ram devotee, who laid the first stone for the construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in the presence of revered saints at the historic foundation stone laying ceremony held on 9 November 1989, is extremely sad. His entire life was dedicated to religious and social work. Humble tribute to him! I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his lotus feet and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss. Om peace!” CM Yogi posted on X.
Kameshwar Chaupal was the first man who laid the foundation stone (Ram sila) for Ram Temple in Ayodhya on November 9, 1989. Chaupal was the lone Dalit member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.
