New Delhi: Describing Mahant Paramhans Ramachandra Das as the "leading pillar" of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on July 31 said it would work with full strength towards the realisation of his dream of building a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.

"We are all shocked. He was the main pillar of the Ram temple movement. We assure the departed soul that we will complete with full strength his dream of Ram mandir," VHP joint general secretary Onkar Bhave said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also joined VHP in condoling the Mahant's death, describing it as a "great loss". "He was not only a religious leader, but also very patriotic. A moderate, he was a crucial link towards finding an amicable solution to the vexed issue," party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Earlier on July 31, senior activists of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and affiliated organisations met at the Jhandewalan office of the Sangh in Central Delhi and paid homage to the Mahant.

Led by Delhi RSS chief Satyanarayan Bansal, the congregation recalled his services to the Hindu society and the nation and observed two-minute silence in his memory.

PTI