New Delhi, 7 February (HS): Trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust and senior BJP leader Kameshwar Chaupal, who laid the first brick for the construction of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, died here last night. He was suffering from kidney disease for some time. Chaupal, who played a leading role in social work along with nationalist organizations like Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep condolences on the death of Kameshwar Chaupal. He described Kameshwar Chaupal as a devoted Ram devotee, who made his valuable contribution in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

On Friday, Prime Minister Modi shared an old photo of his meeting with Kameshwar Chaupal on Instagram and wrote, Extremely saddened by the demise of senior BJP leader and trustee of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Kameshwar Chaupalji. He was an ardent Ram devotee, who made a valuable contribution to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Coming from a Dalit background, Kameshwarji will also always be remembered for his welfare work for the deprived communities of the society. My condolences are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the demise of Ram Mandir Trust trustee Kameshwar Chaupal and said that today we have lost a skilled politician and social worker.

Bihar State BJP has also expressed deep condolences on the demise of former member of Bihar Legislative Council Kameshwar Chaupal.

BJP posted on its official Instagram handle and paid tribute. It said, The news of the demise of Kameshwar Chaupal ji, former Legislative Councilor, Dalit leader, permanent member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and provincial president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who laid the first brick of Ram temple, is a big loss for the society. He dedicated his entire life to religious and social work and he was a true son of Mother India.''

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over Chaupal's death. He wrote in a post on Instagram, The death of Shri Kameshwar Chaupal ji, the Central Vice President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust and the great Ram devotee who laid the first stone for the construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in the presence of revered saints in 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.

Kameshwar Chaupal was born on April 24, 1956 in Kamrail village of the then Saharsa district (presently Supaul district) of Bihar. He devoted his life to social and religious work. Chaupal started his political career in 1991 with the Bharatiya Janata Party. In 1991, he contested from the Rosera Lok Sabha constituency. In 1995 and 2000, he contested from the Bakhri assembly constituency. However, he did not get electoral success and on May 7, 2002, Kameshwar Chaupal took membership of the Bihar Legislative Council. He remained a member of the Bihar Legislative Council till 2014.

Kameshwar Chaupal created history on 9 November 1989 by laying the first brick for the foundation of Ram temple in Ayodhya. His selection as a Dalit representative was a major step, which emphasized the inclusive nature of the temple movement. His contribution made him an iconic figure in the Hindutva and socio-political field.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar