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Remembering Ashok Singhal: The Visionary Behind the Ram Temple Movement
M
Moneycontrol•19-10-2026, 13:45
Remembering Ashok Singhal: The Visionary Behind the Ram Temple Movement
- •The nation marks the birth centenary of Ashok Singhal, a pivotal leader who shaped the modern Ram Janmabhoomi movement and served as a full-time RSS pracharak for 65 years.
- •As general secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Singhal engineered massive grassroots support through initiatives like Shila Pujan and united various Hindu sects.
- •He played a catalytic role in establishing Ekal Vidyalaya schools in remote areas and co-founded Virat Hindu Samaj to address religious conversions.
- •Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Singhal during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, acknowledging his immense contribution to the Ram Mandir's construction.
Key Questions Answered
Ashok Singhal was a key figure who helped build widespread mass support for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. As a leader of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), he expanded its base through initiatives like Shila Pujan and led the kar seva in Ayodhya in 1990.
Ashok Singhal joined the VHP in 1982 and was appointed joint general secretary before taking over as the organization's general secretary in 1986. His leadership helped set the course for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and subsequent historical events.
Ashok Singhal was a metallurgical engineer by training who graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1950. Despite his father's reluctance, he chose to become a full-time RSS pracharak that same year and dedicated 65 years to the organization.
