Veteran Ram Temple Leader Dr. Ramvilas Vedanti Passes Away; Played Key Role in Ayodhya Movement

Ayodhya: Dr. Ramvilas Vedanti, a senior BJP leader, former Member of Parliament, and one of the prominent figures in the Ram Temple movement, passed away on Monday. His health had suddenly deteriorated on Sunday, and he was admitted to a super-specialty hospital in critical condition. His demise has sent waves of grief among leaders associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Dr. Vedanti, born on 7 October 1958, was actively involved in the Ram Temple movement from its early days. A respected Hindu religious leader, he served as a member of the 12th Lok Sabha, representing the Pratapgarh constituency of Uttar Pradesh on a BJP ticket. He was also a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

Political Journey and Historic Wins
Breaking the stronghold of royal and political families in Pratapgarh (Belha), Dr. Vedanti introduced the BJP’s presence in the region. In 1998, he won the Pratapgarh Lok Sabha seat decisively, defeating Congress candidate Ratna Singh with 2,32,927 votes against her 1,64,467. His victory reflected his deep involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his direct connection with the Ram Temple Trust.

Role in the Ram Temple Movement
Dr. Vedanti was a staunch advocate for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He maintained that a magnificent temple could not be built unless the disputed structure was removed, emphasizing that the site had Hindu symbols such as bow and arrow, conch, discus, and mace—symbols not found in mosques worldwide. He repeatedly stated that Muslims had no threat from Hindus and also supported the temple construction in the public interest.

He played a major role in the movement, including during the Babri Masjid demolition case of 6 December 1992, in which he, along with other leaders, was later acquitted by the CBI special court. Dr. Vedanti clarified that they did not destroy a mosque, but rather the ruins of a temple built by King Vikramaditya.

Vision for a Grand Ram Temple
Dr. Vedanti envisioned the Ayodhya Ram Temple as one of the world’s grandest religious monuments and an international tourism landmark. He suggested that the planned 67-acre site could expand in the future, even proposing a 1,111-foot-high temple visible from cities like Islamabad, Colombo, and Kathmandu. His dedication to the cause earned him the position of Executive President of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, overseeing the temple’s construction.

Dr. Vedanti’s death marks the loss of a key figure in the historic struggle for the Ram Temple, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to the movement.