VHP leader Chaupal, who laid first brick for Ram temple construction, dies after prolonged illness

Ayodhya/Lucknow: VHP leader Kameshwar Chaupal, who laid the first brick for the Ayodhya Ram temple's construction during a 1989 ceremony, has died after prolonged illness.

He breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, according to information provided by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra's media centre.

A member of the temple trust, Chaupal had been suffering from kidney ailment for a long time.

Hailing from Patna, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader laid the first brick during the inaugural foundation stone-laying ceremony for the temple in November 1989, the temple trust said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had bestowed on him the title of "first Kar Sevak", it added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief at Chaupal's passing, hailing him as a "great Ram devotee".

He said in a post on X, "The passing of Kameshwar Chaupal ji, central vice-president of the VHP, member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, and a great Ram devotee, who laid the first stone for the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in the presence of revered seers at the historic foundation stone-laying ceremony held on November 9, 1989, is extremely sad."

"His entire life was dedicated to religious and social work. Humble tributes to him! I pray to Lord 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," Adityanath further said in the post in Hindi.

The VHP called Chaupal's passing "deeply saddening and shocking".

"We pray to the almighty for peace to his departed soul and strength to his family and loved ones in this difficult time," it said in a post on X.