Ayodhya: Dr. Ram Vilas Vedanti, a senior BJP leader and a key figure in the Ram Temple movement in Uttar Pradesh, passed away in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday at the age of 75.
He was admitted to a super specialty hospital after his health suddenly worsened. His death has brought deep sadness among Ram Temple movement leaders, saints, and BJP workers.
At the time of his illness, Ram Vilas was delivering a religious discourse near Bhatwa village, close to Lalgaon in Madhya Pradesh.
The program was scheduled to continue till December 17. On Saturday night, he complained of chest pain after which he was rushed to Rewa for treatment.
Who Was Ram Vilas Vedanti?
Dr. Ram Vilas Vedanti was actively involved in the early stages of the Ram Temple movement. Born on October 7, 1958, he was a Hindu religious leader and served as a member of the 12th Lok Sabha.
Ram Vilas Vedanti was also elected as a Member of Parliament from the Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency in UP on a BJP ticket.
He was also a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust.
Early Role in the Ram Temple Movement
Ram Vilas was one of the main religious leaders who supported the Ram Temple movement from the beginning.
He worked closely with many senior saints and leaders and became well known for his clear views on the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
His Political Journey
Ram Vilas Vedanti changed the political history of the Pratapgarh district. Earlier, the area was mostly controlled by royal families and powerful political groups.
Contesting elections in the name of Lord Ram, he became the first BJP leader to win from Pratapgarh, marking an important moment for the party in the region.
In the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, Dr. Vedanti contested from Pratapgarh and won by a large margin. He defeated Congress candidate Ratna Singh, daughter of former Union Minister Raja Dinesh Singh.
Ram Vilas Vedanti on the Ram Temple Issue
Dr. Vedanti often spoke about the Ram Temple issue. He believed the temple could only be built after the removal of the disputed structure.
He also said that the Ram Temple movement was not against any religion and that many Muslims also wanted the issue to be resolved peacefully.
Dr. Vedanti believed that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya would become the grandest temple in the world and a major international tourist attraction. He even suggested that the temple should be very tall so it could be seen from faraway places, which attracted wide attention at the time.
Ram Vilas Vedanti’s Role in the Babri Case
Dr. Vedanti was among the leaders named in the 1992 Babri structure demolition case. He was later acquitted by a CBI special court. Because of his deep involvement in the movement, he was made the Executive Head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and remained active during the temple’s construction phase.
