Cong, AAP back Gujarat House resolution hailing Modi for temple event

Modhwadia had earlier criticised his party’s national leaders declining the invitation for the consecration of the Ram temple on January 22 as a “political decision”.

In his resolution, the CM stated, “…We all know that owing to a far-sighted Prime Minister, devoted Hindu community, which waited for more than 500 years, could consecrate Ram Lalla at a grand temple in Ayodhya.”

He added, “…the people of Gujarat became emotional on January 22 when a son of Gujarat and former leader of this august House, Narendrabhai Modi, consecrated Ram Lalla.”

“It was the same Narendrabhai who functioned as sarthi (charioteer) of historic rathyatra of Ram Janmabhoomi from Somnath to Ayodhya.”

“In India, good governance (means) traditions set by Lord Ram… But invaders and foreign regimes destroyed these culture and traditions… Lakhs of lovers of our culture made sacrifices for centuries. As a result, we could rebuild Ram Temple through constitutional means,” Patel said.

“Narendrabhai is an ardent devotee of Ram Lalla, who is the centre of faith of 140 crore Indians… When penance was to be done for the consecration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Narendrabhai Modi did it for 11 days like an ascetic saint…,” he added.

Calling Modi the “torchbearer of Indian culture”, the CM said that Modi has started making Ram Rajya a reality through various initiatives. He described various “guarantees of Modi” on several issues as “signs of Ram Rajya”.

He also said that the construction of the Ram temple was made possible due to contributions of several other leaders such as Balasaheb Deoras, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, Rajju Bhaiya, Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Ashok Singhal (RSS & VHP leaders), among others.

Welcoming the resolution, Congress’ Modhwadia said, “When we have got this Ram temple through constitutional means, we welcome it. We welcome its consecration as well.”

He added that while the resolution has words like ‘Lord Ram’, ‘Ram Mandir’ and ‘Ram Lalla’ seven times, Modi’s name is mentioned 11 times. “This House has the right to praise the PM. We would have welcomed it as well if (the government) had brought a resolution in that regard separately. But this is resolution for Lord Ram,” he said.

He added, “It is true that the final verdict on Ram Temple was delivered in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s time. He was destined to take credit and the consecration was done through his hands… But before that a lot of work has been done.”

“The beginning happened in 1822 with a claim that it was Ram Janmabhoomi… In 1949, for the first time, idols of Ram Lalla were found there and (excavation) continued with court’s order. Then the PM was Jawaharlal Nehru. To popularise Lord Ram, so that the young generation does not forget him, (director-producer) Ramanand Sagar made the Ramayan serial. Rajiv Gandhi was the PM then.”

“In 1986, the locks of Ram Mandir were opened for the first time and the chief minister (of Uttar Pradesh) was Vir Bahadur Singh of Congress and the PM was Rajiv Gandhi. It was Rajiv Gandhi who in 1989, after getting the blessings of Devraha Baba and Swarupanand Saraswati, gave permission for stone laying (of the temple) and for the first time, Mahant Avaidyanathji performed shilanyas through the hands of a Dalit child…,” said Modhwadia.

“In 1993, when Babri Masjid was demolished, (then PM) Narsimha Rao acquired and reserved 60 acre land for building temple,” he added. “After struggle of innumerable people and after well wishes of innumerable people, this temple has been built. We all welcome it,” Modhwadia said.

AAP’s Makwana, while welcoming the resolution on behalf of his party, suggested that the House should congratulate those who have made sacrifices for the Ram temple.

He also suggested that a hospital and a college should be built at Ayodhya in the name of Lord Ram.