Vishnu Hari Dalmia, former VHP chief and prominent face of Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, dies at 91

Vishnu Hari Dalmia, the former president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday passed away at his residence in New Delhi. Dalmia, who was also a noted industrialist, breathed his last around 9.38 am at his Golf Links residence in the national capital this morning. He was 91. Confirming the news, the VHP in a statement said, "Vishnu Hari Dalmiaji peacefully moved on to his heavenly abode today morning. His cremation will be held in the evening at Nigambodh Ghat".

Dalmia, one of the three major exponents of the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, was admitted to Apollo Hospital following age-related issues in early January but was brought back to his residence on January 13, the statement added. He was the trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and member of VHP's Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal.

Apart from veteran VHP leaders Ashok Singhal and Giriraj Kishore, Dalmia played a crucial role in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the decade-old socio-religious debate between Hindus and Muslims.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Kapil Sharma, the secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, said social service was Dalmia’s religion as during his life he never missed an opportunity to provide relief to humanity, through different projects, especially in Brijbhumi, even at the cost of his business.

Dalmia, a committed Go Sevak not only established Goshala in the precincts of Sri Krishna Janmasthan  Mathura but also helped Brijbhumi and other districts based Goshalas, Sharma said.

In order to save dead cows, ill-treated from dogs and wild beast, he made arrangements of completing last rites of the cattle, with facility for shifting them to their burial place, he added. Brijwasis owe to his efforts for the upliftment of Srikrishna Janmasthan based Ayurvedic hospital, Sharma concluded.