Krishna Bhakta Industrialist

The passing away of leading industrialist, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, is an irreparable loss not only to his family and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, but also to the entire Hindu society. He was the patron and chief advisor of the VHP and led the organisation during the very crucial phase, especially when Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement was at its peak. His immense devotion to Shri Ram and Shri Krishna bestowed him the energy to fight for the glory of these holy places.

He came closer to the VHP at the age of 51. During this period, many governments came and went at the states and Centre. Despite being a leading industrialist, he never bothered what would happen to his business if the governments got angry due to any of his stand, statement or activity. It was because of this commitment that he never missed any session of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement. On December 6, 1992 also, when the disputed structure was demolished by the angry karsevaks, he was on the dais and owned whatever happened. He even went to jail along with Shri LK Advani, the late Ashok Singhalji and others. He was facing criminal case for demolition of the disputed structure. Whenever the court summoned, he appeared before the court. Even after being unwell, he appeared before the court on May 30, 2017.

He was a highly religious person. He never missed the puja particularly on Monday. He did not come out form his house on Monday. He used to celebrate the birthday of Radha Rani at his home with festivity for many days. There is a big park in front of his house in Delhi. He used to organise the Guru Dakshina Utsav of the Sangh in that Park by inviting other businessmen in his contact and the people of his locality.

Despite being a leading industrialist, he mingled with the ordinary workers of the VHP and looked after them as his own family members. Dalmia ji joined the Vishwa Hindu Parishad as chairman of the Reception Committee during the Vishwa Hindu Sammelan organised in Prayagraj in 1979. Then he became a member of the central committee. After some time, he became working president of the VHP along with the then president Justice Shri Vishwanath Katju. He held the responsibility of VHP president till 2005. After that he was a member of the advisory committee. I have seen him actively participating in the organisational activities from 1986. He attentively attended every small or big meeting, listened to each and every view and then shared his opinion. He was an active office bearer of the VHP. His dealing with the co-workers was very polite and full of motivation.

I have not seen such an active leader of the VHP in my public life. Whatever information about the Hindu society he got from his sources, he supplied that to Ashok Singhalji and Acharya Giriraj Kishore. He also wrote to various government departments and if needed, visited the offices to meet the officials. Whenever he got the opportunity, he firmly advocated the liberation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temples. We all in Vishwa Hindu Parishad feel proud for his association with the VHP. He was a staunch devotee and gaubhkat.

He was dedicated to the cause of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi to the extent that in his last days he was worried over the delay in reconstruction of the Temple. His active role during this movement will always be remembered. He also joined various dialogues with the Muslim leaders on this issue. He played an active role in dialogue during the regimes of Shri Chandrasekhar and Shri VP Singh.

Before leaving for dialogue with the Muslims, he used to arm himself with all vital facts and relevent documents. However, the opposite party was never found armed with the facts. That is why they used to run away from dialogue. But Dalmia ji was never disappointed and hoped for the better. He generated positive energy among the workers and always kept their energy level high.

Dalmiaji breathed his last at his residence in New Delhi on January 16. He was 91. He was admitted to Apollo Hospital on December 22 and was in ICU. Following his wish he was shifted to his Golf Link residence where the doctors created an ICU. His last wish of seeing a majestic Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya remained unfulfilled. During his life he never missed an opportunity to provide relief to humanity through different projects, especially in Brijbhoomi, even at the cost of his business. As a committed Gausevak, he not only established Gaushala in the precincts of Shri Krishna Janmasthan Mathura, but also helped Brijbhoomi and other districts based Gaushalas. To save the dead cows ill-treated from dogs and wild beast, he made arrangements of completing last rites of the cows, with facility of shifting them upto their burial place. The people of Brij also owe to his efforts for the upliftment of Shri Krishna Janmasthan based Ayurvedic hospital.