Shri Rama Gopalan fought religious conversions by both Muslim and Christian missionaries. He was the brain behind the Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations at every street of the state when Dravidian movement was at its peak, targeting Hindu traditions.
Senior RSS Pracharak, Former Prant Pracharak of Tamilnadu and Founder President of Hindu Munnani Sri Rama Gopalan passed away this evening. He was 94.
Ramagoapalan was admitted to a private hospital in Porur following complaints of breathing problems. He had tested positive for coronavirus. He died at around 1600 hours on Wednesday evening (30th September). “He was a chronic heart patient and used to get admitted in the hospital for regular checkup and consultations. He was tested negative for Covid19 three months back. However this time he tested positive and succumbed to the infection”, Hindu munnani leaders said.
Ramagopalan had founded Hindu Munnani in 1980, a Dharmic and cultural organisation after the Meenakshipuram mass conversion incident. He founded it mainly to defend Hinduism and protect Hindu religious monuments. He was seen as a lobbyist for the rights of Hindus, fighting the Islamic fundamentalists and radical Islamic political groups. He also opposed the conversions by both Muslim and Christian missionaries. He has been a Sangh pracharak since 1948.
He was the brain behind the Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations at every street of the state where the rationalist Dravidar Kazhagam broke the statues of Vinayagar and garlanded him with slippers. Despite opposition from Muslims and denial of permission from the authorities, he successfully took out the Vinayagar idol immersion procession every year.
37 years ago, Ramagopalan organized the first Vinayagar Chathuthi procession in Triplicane, a Muslim dominated locality, with a few party workers. It has now become a celebration every year and turned into a catalyst for a mass movement for Hindu awakening. Till his last breath he fought for the rights of Hindus. Ramagopalan, a true Karma yogi, spearheaded the rights of Hindus in Tamil Nadu when the Dravidian parties were at the helm. He survived a bid on his life in Madurai. He was waging a war to ensure justice to the killings of the Hindu leaders by fundamentalist groups. He had visited every nook and corner of the Tamil Nadu” Hindu Munnani leaders told this correspondent. They also said “ his death was a huge loss for and for the Hindus. Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan in his condolence message said he was my mentor and guru and showed me the meaning for life.
Hindu Munnai cadres remembered “ Ramagopal ji “ dedicated his life for the Hindus by remaining bachelor. He was fondly called by his followeers as “Veera Duravi” (Couragous saint). After a deadly attack by Basha in Madurai, he was in coma for more than a month. He was responsible for uniting Hindus, creating awakening among youth”.
BJP leaders and DMK chief M K Stalin also condoled his death. His mortal remains were kept at party headquarters for followers to pay respect. Later it was taken to his native place near Trichy for cremation.
