Mohan Bhagwat writes: Construction of Ram temple marks the reawakening of national pride

Therefore, repeated attempts were made to take control of the birthplace and build a temple there. There were many wars, struggles, and sacrifices for him. And the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi got ingrained in the minds of Hindus. In 1857, when a rebellion was being planned against the British, Hindus and Muslims together expressed their readiness to fight against them, and then there was mutual exchange of ideas between them. At that time, a situation evolved where there would be a reconciliation on the issue of banning cow slaughter and liberation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.
Bahadur Shah Zafar also guaranteed a ban on cow slaughter. As a result, the entire society fought together. The Bharatiya people showed bravery in that war but unfortunately this War of Independence failed. Then, Bharat did not get independence, and the British rule remained uninterrupted, but the struggle for Ram temple did not stop.

The British “policy of divide and rule”, towards the Hindus and the Muslims that was already in practice, gained prominence after 1857. To break the unity, the British hanged the heroes of the struggle in Ayodhya and the question of liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi remained unresolved. The struggle for Ram temple continued.

After the Independence in 1947, when the Somnath temple was unanimously renovated, the discussion on more such temples started. A similar consensus could have been considered regarding the liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi, but the direction of politics changed. Selfish politics such as discrimination and appeasement became prevalent and hence the question remained as it is. On this issue, the governments did not even consider the wishes and sentiments of the Hindu society. On the contrary, they tried to destroy the initiative taken by the society. The legal battle related to this, which had been going on since pre-Independence, continued. The mass movement for the liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi began in the 1980s and continued for 30 years.

In 1949, the idol of Bhagwan Shri Ramchandra appeared at the Ram Janmabhoomi. In 1986, the temple was unlocked as per the court order. In the coming period, the struggle of the Hindu society continued through many campaigns and karseva. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court passed a judgment. The efforts had to be sustained for final resolution of the issue at the earliest. On November 9, 2019, after 134 years of legal struggle, the Supreme Court gave a balanced decision after examining the truth and facts.

The feelings and facts of both the parties (religions) were also considered in this decision. This decision has been given after hearing the arguments of all the parties in the court. According to this decision, a board of trustees was constituted for constructing the temple. The bhoomipujan of the temple took place on August 5, 2020, and now on Paush Shukla Dwadashi Yugabd 5125, accordingly on January 22, 2024, the installation and Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the idol of Shri Ram Lalla has been organised.

From the dharmic point of view, Shri Ram is the most worshipped deity in the majority society and the life of Shri Ramchandra is still accepted as an ideal way of conduct by the entire society. Hence, now the conflict that rose from the dispute should end. The bitterness that has arisen in the meantime should also end. The enlightened people of the society must see that the dispute ends completely.

Ayodhya means a city “where there is no war”, “a place free of conflict”. On this occasion, in the entire country, reconstruction of Ayodhya should be there in our minds. It is also our duty. The occasion of construction of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya marks the reawakening of national pride. This also signifies the acceptance of the vision of life behind the character of Shri Ram by the modern Bharatiya society. Lord Shri Ram is to be worshipped in the temple with rituals of “Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam” (leaves, flowers, fruits, and water) and at the same time, by establishing the image of Shri Ram in our minds, and in the light of the same, inculcating the ideal conduct we have to worship Shri Ram.

As “Shivo Bhootva Shivam Bhajet, Ramo Bhootva Ramam Bhajet” (to worship Shiva, be Shiva, to worship Ram, be Ram) is called true worship. If we consider this point of view, then according to the social nature of Bharatiya culture, we need to imbibe “Matravat pardareshu, pardravyeshu loshtvat. Atmavat sarvabhuteshu, yah pasyati sah panditah” (He is a wise man who sees the wives of others as his mother, the wealth of others like clod of earth and all beings as his own self). In this way we too will have to follow the path of Shri Ram. Integrity in life, forgiveness with strength and bravery, sincerity and humility, compassion and care in dealing with everyone, gentleness of heart and strictness towards oneself in performing the duty – these are the qualities of Shri Ram that everyone should emulate in their lives and in their families.

Efforts to bring it into everyone’s life will have to be made with honesty, dedication, and hardwork. Besides, keeping in view our national life, discipline will have to be instilled in social life also. We know that on the basis of the same discipline, Shri Ram-Lakshman had completed their 14 years of exile and successfully completed the fight against the powerful Ravana.

To once again spread the qualities of justice and compassion, equality with social harmony, fairness, and social virtues reflected in the character of Shri Ram; to once again build a pursuant and courageous society based on equal justice without exploitation, endowed with strength as well as compassion – this would be a social worship of Shri Ram. This world is destructive because of egoism, selfishness, and discrimination and is bringing infinite calamities upon itself.

The advent of Shri Ram Lalla in Ram Janmabhoomi and his Pran Pratishtha is the beginning of the campaign for reconstruction of Bharatvarsh which is for the well-being of all, accepting all without enmity, and showing the path of harmony, unity, progress, and peace. We are the active followers and implementers of that campaign. In the devotional celebration of January 22, along with the reconstruction of the temple, all of us have taken the resolve to reconstruct Bharat, and through it, pave the way for reconstruction of the entire world. By always keeping this guiding light in mind, moving forward is the need of the hour. Jay Siya Ram!

(The writer is the Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)