Opinion As a temple comes up in Ayodhya, Ram Rajya begins — as does the quest for Begumpura
We usher in 2024 with the hope that poet-saint Ravidas’s Begumpura, a land without sorrow, will be reality as we enter Ram Rajya. The new era will be marked by good governance, inclusive participation, and equal opportunity and the effort to reclaim traditions and narratives from the margins
Every minor detail of the ceremony is discussed repeatedly from who will be seated in the sanctum sanctorum and how the puja will be conducted to the Prime Minister’s decision to fast on that day. (X/@ShriRamTeerth) 
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In India’s journey towards reclaiming its historical roots and becoming Bharat, we will witness, in three weeks, a historical event which seeks to reinstate its glory. The consecration of Lord Ram’s temple would not be a hollow action, as with his homecoming we will also see the dawn of Ram Rajya – an era of good governance, inclusive participation, and equal opportunity. For Bharat, the ideal state is no mere utopia, as it is for the West. These lands have already witnessed one in the past, which left in all of us the social and cultural yearning to reach back to the days when Bharat was known as “sone ki chidiya”.
Ayodhya, which was relegated to myth, will once again become a part of our national history and consciousness. It was always present in the mindspace of the majority of Indians for centuries. The shaligram (fossilised stone or ammonite) from the Gandaki river in Nepal will not just be a totem or symbol for Ram, but will also be emblematic of the journey that Bharat has undertaken to unshackle itself from invaders, imperialists and impoverishment and move towards abundance, assimilation, and assertion. It may very well be termed as a political move, but it resonates beyond politics — it’s the reassertion of the faith of a billion-plus people. It helps reclaim our value-driven ancient knowledge system, the very fabric of a pluralistic society which allowed this multi-sectarian nation to flourish. Ram embodies the pluralism and diversity of our land, Bharat, in his character — this goes beyond communal understanding.
As a Dalit, I also see the recreation of Ram Rajya as an attempt to seek Begumpura, a land with no sorrow. This is a Ravidasiya concept — the regal realm with the sorrowless name; they call it Begumpura, a place with no pain. We usher in 2024 with the hope that poet-saint Ravidas’s Begumpura will be reality as we enter Ram Rajya. This will also be an effort to reclaim traditions and narratives from the margins. By naming the Ayodhya Dham Airport after Maharishi Valmiki, the Modi government is attempting to make the utopia of Begumpura a reality, wherein individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly the Dalit community, can assert their authority with dignity over spaces traditionally associated with the upper echelons of society.
Our ancient knowledge system was a treasure to world civilisations; there were many philosophical, spiritual, and religious schools that developed in this Subcontinent. Though different schools had their own different purpose, they shared a similar vision of shaping society through the spiritual and cultural awakening of the masses, leading them to a just reality.
Women, historically, enjoyed the same status as men in the land of “Ardhanarishvara”. With the emergence of the discourse around Lord Ram, we hope to see more conversation about Sita, and the resurgence of Indian thought traditions which are women-centric. As the women of the new era, we want participation in all aspects of society, sharing the responsibility of nation building with our male counterparts, while ensuring our safety in public, private and digital spaces. It should be remembered that this land was never just of Lord Ram, but of Sita-Ram and Radha-Krishna. It is the land of the Panchakanya. In the examples of Gargi Vachaknavi, Maitreyi and Lopamudra can be seen the women-centric aspects of the Indian thought tradition and civilisation. In modern times, from Indira Gandhi to Sushma Swaraj, and from Mayawati to President Droupadi Murmu, women leaders have broken through male hegemony.
With greater emphasis on financial inclusion and skill development for women, the Modi government has ensured that in the coming decades, Bharat will see the resurgence of nari shakti. With women’s reservation in Parliament and state assembles (Nari Vandan Adhiniyam) on the horizon, we hope the 2024 elections will see the irreversible movement of women to the forefront, with both power and position. The Modi government has also redefined the concept of the welfare state by making dignity and parity its core values. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees, the poor, the youth, women, and farmers — the margins of the nation — are leading the march to dignity and towards “samajik samrasta”, inclusive coexistence.
The homecoming of Lord Ram must also see the end of the injustice of the last few centuries, brought upon us by caste and colonialism. We must decolonise and decaste our consciousness by rejecting the historical marginalisation of communities and peoples. The foundation of our great civilisation was always made of equality, inclusivity, and the striving for a just society. Ram Rajya is the embodiment of good governance, inclusive growth, equal opportunity, and sovereignty — it is not just a “rules-based” order, but also one that is based on shared value and ethics. The Bharat of today has shown that it does not just stand for its own rights, but the rights of everyone — from the abrogation of Article 370, which brought parity of rights and responsibility to Kashmiris and helming G20, where we saw the inclusion of the African Union and the transformation of an elitist global event into a local utsav (event) with janbhagidari (people’s participation) at its core.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, “By ‘Ram Rajya’, I do not mean Hindu Raj. I mean by ‘Ram Rajya’ Divine Raj, the kingdom of god. For me, Ram and Rahim are one and the same deity. I acknowledge no other god but the one god of truth and righteousness.” We hope that 2024 will emerge as a year of inclusivity and justice marked by interfaith dialogue and spiritual unity.
The writer is assistant professor, Department of Sociology, Lakshmibai College, University of Delhi
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