The passing of Dr. Ram Vilas Vedanti on Monday, December 15, 2025, marked the end of an era for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the political-spiritual landscape of Ayodhya. The veteran Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and two-time former Member of Parliament died at the age of 67 following a heart attack in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
Dr. Vedanti was widely recognized not just as a revered saint but as a prominent figure whose life was wholly dedicated to the cause of the Ram Temple.
The Pillar of the Ram Temple Movement
Dr. Vedanti's identity was inseparable from the decades-long struggle for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, where he resided at the Vashishtha Bhavan Ashram.
- Executive Leadership: At the time of his death, he served as the Executive President of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, having played a critical role in the Nyas (Trust) since the 1980s.
- Disciple and Saint: He was a disciple of Mahant Abhiram Das of Ayodhya's famous Hanumangarhi and was considered one of the foremost saints and guiding forces of the temple movement.
- Controversial Role in 1992: His involvement placed him at the heart of the controversy surrounding the demolition of the Babri structure on December 6, 1992. Dr. Vedanti was among the key leaders named as an accused in the CBI's conspiracy case. He was often outspoken, famously claiming publicly that it was he who had ordered the karsevaks to bring down the structure. He and the co-accused were later acquitted in 2020.
- Fulfillment of a Dream: He considered the 2019 Supreme Court verdict and the subsequent consecration of the Ram Temple in 2024 as the fulfillment of his life's mission, having dedicated decades to the struggle for Ram bhakti.
Political and Academic Profile
Born on October 7, 1958, in Gudhwa, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Vedanti successfully navigated both the spiritual and political worlds.
- Academic Credentials: He was a highly educated religious scholar, holding titles up to Vedantacharya and Vidya Varidhi (Ph.D.) from the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi. His scholarship allowed him to eloquently explain complex Hindu scriptures during his Ramkatha discourses.
- Parliamentary Career: Affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dr. Vedanti served as a Lok Sabha MP twice:
- 1996–1998: From the Machhlishahr constituency.
- 1998–1999: From the Pratapgarh constituency. He was known for changing the political dynamics of Pratapgarh by becoming the first BJP leader to win the seat, contesting largely on the Ram Temple platform.
Final Days and Condolences
Dr. Vedanti had been in Rewa to narrate a Ramkatha when his health deteriorated on Sunday. He was admitted to the Superspecialty Hospital attached to Shyam Shah Medical College with complications, including blood poisoning (septicemia) and kidney failure. After suffering a heart attack, efforts to airlift him to AIIMS Bhopal were thwarted by poor visibility (dense fog). He passed away on Monday morning.
His passing drew deep sorrow from India's political and religious establishment. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called his death an "irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan culture," stating that his life of sacrifice will continue to inspire generations.
His mortal remains are being taken to Ayodhya, where the final rites are scheduled to be performed at the Saryu river ghat.
