Ram not dispute, is solution: PM Modi

“Today’s occasion is not only a moment of celebration but also a moment that signifies the maturity of Indian society. For us, this occasion is not only about vijay (victory) but also about vinay (humility)… The way our country has untangled this knot of history with seriousness and sensitivity, it indicates that our future is going to be much more beautiful than our past… A thousand years from today, people will talk about this date, this moment. And how great is Lord Ram’s grace that we are living in this moment, witnessing it happen,” he said.

“There was a time when some people said that if the Ram temple was built, it would lead to unrest. Such people failed to understand the purity of India’s social sentiment. The construction of this temple of Ram Lalla is also a symbol of peace, patience, harmony and coordination in Indian society.”

“We are seeing that this construction is not igniting aag (fire), but rather it is giving birth to oorja (energy). The Ram temple has brought inspiration to every section of society to move towards a brighter future. Today, I call upon those people… Feel it, rethink your perspective. Ram is not fire, Ram is energy. Ram is not vivaad (dispute), Ram is the samadhan (solution), Ram is for everyone. Ram is not just the present, Ram is eternal.”

“The entire nation is celebrating Diwali today. Every household is prepared to light the Ram Jyoti in the evening.”

Recalling his visit Sunday to Arichal Munai in Dhanushkodi, the starting point of Ram Setu, Modi said it was the moment which altered the Kaal Chakra. Drawing an analogy to that moment, he said he got the belief that today’s moment will also be the one to alter the circle of time and move forward.

During his 11-day anushthan, he said he attempted to bow at all the places where Ram had set foot. Mentioning Panchvati Dham in Nashik, Thriprayar temple in Kerala, Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, Sri Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, he expressed gratitude for the journey from the sea to river Sarayu.

“From the sea to the Saryu river, the same festive spirit of Ram’s name is prevalent everywhere… Lord Ram is connected to every particle of the soul of India. Ram resides in the hearts of Indians.”

Modi said there must have been something lacking in “our efforts” that it took centuries for Ram to return to Ayodhya. “Today, I also seek forgiveness from Lord Shri Ram. There must have been some shortcomings in our efforts, our sacrifices, our penance, that we couldn’t accomplish this task for so many centuries. Today, that deficiency has been fulfilled. I believe Lord Ram will surely forgive us today.” In the Treta Yuga, he said, Ayodhya missed Ram for 14 years, while people of this era missed him for five centuries.

Recalling that the first draft of the Constitution had Ram in it, the Prime Minister also thanked the judiciary: “I express my gratitude to the judiciary of India, which upheld the dignity of justice. The temple of Lord Ram, synonymous with justice, was also built in a lawful manner.”

Thanking the kar sevaks, sants and Ram Bhakts for their contribution to the movement for the Ram temple, Modi exuded confidence that the future of the country would be much more beautiful than its past.

“In the form of Lord Ram, today is also the Pran Pratishtha of Indian civilisational values and humanity… We have to vow to build a samarth (capable), saksham (able), bhavya (grand) and divya (divine) Bharat.”

“This is not just a divine temple. It is a temple of India’s vision, philosophy and direction. It is a temple of national consciousness in the form of Ram,” he said.

“Moving beyond the construction of the temple, now all of us citizens, from this moment, pledge to build a capable, magnificent and divine India.”

He asked people to expand their consciousness from Dev to Desh, Ram to Rashtra – from deity to nation – and learn from Hanuman’s service, devotion and dedication. “These feelings of devotion, service and dedication in every Indian will become the basis of a capable, grand and divine India,” he said.

He said none should think he is too small to contribute to the country, that people should take inspiration from Jatayu who fought Ravan despite being aware he could not defeat him.

He urged the youth to take inspiration from their glorious tradition and work for a country that had now reached the Moon and space: “You represent the generation of India that is hoisting the flag on the Moon, conducting Mission Aditya by travelling 15-lakh kilometres… waving the flag of Tejas in the sky and Vikrant in the sea. You have to write the new dawn of India while being proud of your heritage.”

Peppering his speech with socially inclusive messages, Modi recalled the “Adivasi mother” Shabri who used to say “Ram aayenge” and (kevat) Nishad Raj who helped Ram and Sita cross the Ganga in his boat.

The speech marked a near continuum with the Prime Minister’s speeches after the 2019 Supreme Court judgement and the foundation laying ceremony of the Ram temple on August 5, 2020.

“Sri Ram temple will be the modern symbol of our culture and I am intentionally using the word ‘modern’. It will symbolise our eternal hope. It will epitomise our national feeling. This temple will be the emblem of the collective will power of millions of people. This shrine will inspire hope, devotion and determination in the minds of future generations,” Modi said in 2020. “Lord Ram is the foundation of our culture; he is the dignity of India. He personifies dignity. It is with this splendour that the “bhoomipujan” (ground-breaking) ceremony of the grand temple of Sri Ram has taken place.”

He had also likened the foundation-laying ceremony after “centuries of struggle” to the freedom struggle against British rule. He had commended the country for maintaining peace, just as it had done when the Supreme Court had pronounced its verdict.