Ram Vilas Vedanti, a former Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party and a prominent voice in the movement for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, died on Monday. He was 67 years old.
A Sudden Demise Amidst Fog
Vedanti passed away in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Monday, December 11, at 12:20 AM. According to Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, Vedanti's health had worsened two days prior, leading to his hospitalisation in Rewa. He was in the city to deliver a 'Ram Katha' discourse on December 10.
An air ambulance was arranged on Monday to transfer him to Delhi for advanced medical treatment. However, dense fog conditions prevented the aircraft from landing, ultimately thwarting the evacuation effort.
Condolences Pour In From Spiritual and Political Circles
The news of his passing prompted an outpouring of grief from seers, public representatives, and social organisations across the country. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed profound sorrow, stating that Vedanti's death was an "irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan Dharma."
In a post on social media platform X, CM Adityanath said, "The demise of Vedanti marks the end of an era. His life of sacrifice, dedicated to the service of religion, society, and the nation, is an inspiration to us all." He offered prayers for the departed soul and strength for the grieving followers.
From Ayodhya Seer to Parliament and Legal Battles
Vedanti was a disciple of Mahant Abhiram Das of Hanumangarhi and resided at Hindu Dham Naya Ghat in Ayodhya. He was considered a revered seer of the Vashistha Ashram in the temple town. Born on October 7, 1958, in Gudh village, Rewa, he was known for his deep Sanskrit scholarship and his talent for simplifying complex spiritual concepts.
His political career saw him win Lok Sabha elections from Machhlishahr in 1996 and Pratapgarh in 1998. He later contested from Amethi in 2004, losing to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Vedanti was also a member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and was a key accused in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case. In a significant verdict in September 2020, a special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted Vedanti and 31 other accused. The court concluded there was no conclusive proof of a criminal conspiracy and that the demolition was not pre-planned.
His mortal remains were brought to Ayodhya for the final rites, as confirmed by his successor, Mahant Raghavesh Das. His passing leaves a significant void in the socio-religious landscape of Ayodhya and the wider Hindu spiritual community.
