Tags:
Journalism of Courage
This has to be the mother of all Hindutva gambits. After organising a week-long Virat Ram Katha, followed by announcement of a plan to take out nine yatras from different temples/ shrines across the state, Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has made it clear that in the Hindutva battle, he has designs also on Lord Ram’s mother.
The Chhattisgarh government is constructing a Rs 2-crore temple as a mark of respect to Kaushalya. A sprawling complex, it will come up at Aarang, 50 km from Raipur, and have three water ponds in the backdrop, not quite unlike Amritsar’s Golden Temple.
Chief Minister’s Advisor (Home) R.L.S. Yadav says nearly 56 acres of an island, surrounded by ponds, have been identified for the temple complex. With assembly elections round the corner, the process for transfer of 36 acres will start immediately.
Raipur Collector C.K. Khaitan, who accompanied Yadav to Aarang yesterday for the site selection, says: ‘‘Since the land identified for the temple is private, we will provide them equal land in its exchange. They (the locals) are also willing.’’ Yadav is confident it would hardly take another two months for the temple work to start.
The government proposes to set up a Kaushalya Temple Trust, and entrust it the job of construction. Mannu Lal Yadu, a prominent OBC leader, has been tipped for appointment as secretary of the trust.
Aarang will also see a Ram Katha on the day the nine Vikas Yatras — to be headed by ministers — conclude, that is July 29.
Since the time he joined the Hindutva race, Jogi has been running hard to catch up with the BJP. To those who question his strategy, the CM says: ‘‘The BJP remembers Ram or rakes up the Ram Janmabhoomi issue close to the elections. We do it throughout the year. I have been to Ram kathas and Hindu temples more than anyone else in the BJP.’’
There are reports that the Jogi government has also allotted 13 acres to Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth Swami Swaroopanand, who stayed for a day at the CM’s residence last week.
Minister Yadav claims there is sufficient archaeological and historic evidence to suggest Aarang was the birthplace of Ram’s mother Kaushalya. However, when has that stopped anyone? As Yadav himself admits: ‘‘It’s a question of faith than anything else.’’ Not to forget votes.
