VHP leader Jai Bahadur Singh Shekhawat dies at 93

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Jai Bahadur Singh Shekhawat ‘Khachariawas’, who led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Rajasthan, died in Jaipur on Sunday. He was 93 years old.

Shekhawat was born in 1927. He joined the RSS early and spent his entire life involved with the Sangh and its activities. Between 1956 and 1966, he was the caretaker of the organisation in Jaipur. He was also related to former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

 Shekhawat was instrumental in several movements over the years, including the one demanding the removal of the ban on the RSS, the anti-cow slaughter movement, the workers’ movement in 1970, and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990. His role in establishing the Bharat Mata Mandir in Jaipur is considered his most pioneering work. He also went to jail on multiple occasions for the cause he sincerely espoused.

Shekhawat also received many accolades in life. He was the president of the Govansh Samvardhan Parishad in Rajasthan, the joint general secretary of the VHP from 1966 to 1993, the deputy chairman of the Cow Service Commission from 1997, the convener of Bhagwat Gita Gyan Prachar Trust and vicepresident of Gandhi Vidya Mandir Sardarshahar Trust. On 20 February, he was also awarded the title of “Sanatan Purush” of Rajasthan. He was also close to former RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar, whose letters are part of Shekhawat’s personal collection.

Rajasthan minist r Babulal Nagar, mourning his demise, said, “He was an exemplary social leader who served the RSS till his last breath. He belonged to a very good family and had been in-charge of various important posts. During the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he went into every corner of Rajasthan to spread the word and also had to go to jail several times. He was a man of very high morals.”

Satish Punia of the BJP also said, “Jai Bahadur Singh ji had an immense role in strengthening the roots of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. I had the opportunity to go to karseva with his blessings and I have been seeing him since I came to Jaipur. He has always been a highly righteous man and he played an immense role in motivating the workers and managing Rajasthan during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.”