Kameshwar Chaupal, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and a central figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, passed away at the age of 68. He breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments. Despite his daughter donating a kidney to him, his health continued to decline over the past several days.
Chaupal, a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from Bihar and a senior member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), was widely recognised as the “Pratham Karsevak” of the Ram Mandir movement. In 1989, he had the honour of laying the first brick for the foundation of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, a moment of historic significance in the Mandir’s long struggle for reconstruction.
Leaders from various political and social organisations expressed their condolences on his demise. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) took to social media platform X to pay tribute, stating:
“The demise of Shri Kameshwar Chaupal Ji, Central Vice President of VHP, Honourable President of Bihar State, Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra, two-time MP and the one who laid the first brick of Shri Ramlala’s Mandir, is extremely sad and shocking. We all pray to God for peace of his departed soul and patience to his family members.”
विश्व हिंदू परिषद के केंद्रीय उपाध्यक्ष, बिहार प्रांत के माननीय अध्यक्ष, श्री राम जन्मभूमि के तीर्थ क्षेत्र के न्यासी, दो बार के सांसद व श्री रामलला के मंदिर की प्रथम ईंट रखने वाले श्री कामेश्वर चौपाल जी का निधन बेहद दुखद और स्तब्ध करने वाला है। हम सब उनकी दिवंगत पुण्यात्मा की… pic.twitter.com/sex497o9z2
— Vishva Hindu Parishad -VHP (@VHPDigital) February 7, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the demise of senior BJP leader and Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust trustee Kameshwar Chaupal. In a post on X, he described Chaupal as a dedicated Ram Bhakt who made a valuable contribution to the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Highlighting Chaupal’s Dalit background, the Prime Minister acknowledged his lifelong efforts toward the welfare of deprived communities. Extending condolences to Chaupal’s family and supporters, Modi stated, “He will always be remembered for his work for society. Om Shanti!”
भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेता और राम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र ट्रस्ट के ट्रस्टी कामेश्वर चौपाल जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। वे एक अनन्य रामभक्त थे, जिन्होंने अयोध्या में राम मंदिर के निर्माण में बहुमूल्य योगदान दिया। दलित पृष्ठभूमि से आने वाले कामेश्वर जी समाज के वंचित समुदायों के… pic.twitter.com/pmqXNvvqfr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 7, 2025
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed his grief and lauded Chaupal’s lifelong dedication to religious and social work. He posted on X:
“The demise of Shri Kameshwar Chaupal ji, Central Vice President of Vishva 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 Mandir 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 Bhagwan 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 Shanti!”
विश्व हिंदू परिषद के केंद्रीय उपाध्यक्ष, श्री राम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र न्यास के सदस्य एवं 9 नवम्बर 1989 को आयोजित ऐतिहासिक शिलान्यास समारोह में पूज्य संत गण की उपस्थिति में श्री राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर निर्माण की प्रथम शिला रखने वाले परम राम भक्त श्री कामेश्वर चौपाल जी का निधन…
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 7, 2025
Kameshwar Chaupal hailed from Supaul district in Bihar. His rise to prominence came in 1989 when he was chosen to lay the first ‘Ram Shila’ (brick) for the foundation of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on November 9 1989. At the time, he was a dedicated worker of the VHP and played an active role in the Mandir movement. His selection was significant, as it was seen as a message of inclusivity, recognising the contribution of every section of society in the Ram Mandir movement.
He formally joined the VHP in 1982 and by 1989, he was appointed the State In-Charge of the organisation in Bihar, operating from Gaya. Under his leadership, the ‘Ram Shila’ campaign mobilised bricks from villages across Bharat, with each village contributing one brick and Rs. 1.25 as dakshina for the construction of the Mandir.
