New Delhi: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday, February 10 expressed condolences on the demise of Kameshwar Chaupal, a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and a central figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
“The demise of Shri Kameshwar Chaupal Ji, who laid the first brick of Mandir at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya is extremely sad for the all the Rambhakts. Due to his Dharmik nature and dedication for it, he remained associated with the work of Ram Mandir till the end. We pay tribute to his memory and pray to the almighty to bestow Sadgati to the departed Soul. Om Shanti,” said the RSS Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosabale in a statement released on Monday.
अयोध्या में श्रीराम जन्मभूमि पर राम मंदिर की पहली ईंट रखने वाले श्री कामेश्वर चौपाल जी का परलोक गमन सभी राम भक्तों के लिए अत्यंत दुःखद है। अपनी धर्मनिष्ठ प्रवृत्ति तथा समर्पण के चलते वे राम मंदिर के कार्य से अंत तक जुड़े रहे। हम उनकी स्मृति में श्रद्धांजलि व्यक्त करते हुए ईश्वर… pic.twitter.com/f12Ga5uyf8
— RSS (@RSSorg) February 10, 2025
Kameshwar Chaupal breathed his last on February 7 at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments.
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 too expressed deep sorrow over the demise of 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.
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
Highlighting Chaupal’s Dalit background, Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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!”
Hailing from Supaul district in Bihar Chaupal’s 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.
