Ram Vilas Vedanti, a prominent leader of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and a former Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament, died of a heart attack in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa. He was 67, officials said.

Widely known for his role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and his long association with Ayodhya’s religious institutions, Vedanti remained an influential figure in both spiritual and political circles.

Health complications and hospitalisation

Vedanti had been unwell for some time and was admitted to the Superspecialty Hospital affiliated with Shyam Shah Medical College in Rewa after his condition worsened.

“When he was admitted, he had blood poisoning (septicemia) infection, which had spread significantly. His blood pressure had dropped, and his kidneys had also stopped functioning,” Superspecialty Hospital superintendent Akshay Srivastava told PTI Videos.

“Vedanti suffered a heart attack on Sunday night, following which he was on a ventilator. He passed away this morning,” Srivastava said.

An attempt was made to shift him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, by air ambulance, but dense fog prevented the transfer, the hospital superintendent added.

Religious engagements in Rewa

Ayodhya Mayor Girishpati Tripathi told PTI that Vedanti had travelled to Rewa to narrate “Katha Bhathwa” in Lalgaon area of the district. During his stay, his health deteriorated, leading to his hospitalisation.

Role in Ram Janmabhoomi movement

Born in Gudhwa (Gudh) village of Rewa district, Vedanti was the executive president of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust and remained closely associated with the movement for decades.

According to his successor, Mahant Raghavesh Das, Vedanti was a disciple of Mahant Abhiram Das of Hanumangarhi, who was a key figure in the placement of Ram Lalla idols in the Babri Masjid in 1949.

Vedanti lived at Hindu Dham Naya Ghat in Ayodhya and also ran an ashram named Vashishth Bhavan.

Parliamentary career

Vedanti entered electoral politics as a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh. He served as a Member of Parliament from Machhlishahar and later from Pratapgarh, representing the party in the Lok Sabha during the late 1990s.

Condolences from BJP leadership

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Vedanti’s death as an irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan Dharma.

In a post on X, Adityanath said, “The passing away of Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj, a prominent figure in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, former Member of Parliament, and revered saint of Vashishtha Ashram in Ayodhya Dham, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world and Sanatan Dharma. Our humble tributes to him!”

“His departure marks the end of an era. His life, dedicated to the service of religion, society, and the nation, is an inspiration to us all,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also expressed grief, saying in a post on X, “The news of the passing away of Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti Ji Maharaj, a revered saint, former Member of Parliament, and a leading figure of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, who played a pivotal role in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, is deeply saddening.”

“His demise is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world. His life of selfless service dedicated to religion,” Maurya said.