Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
AYODHYA’S TRYST WITH DESTINY Lamps lit across country in piety
HISTORY August 5 will stand as a symbol of sacrifices for temple just as August 15 symbolises freedom struggle: Modi FAITH PM performs prayers, lays first brick of temple at grand ceremony, devotees celebrate occasion nationwide
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the Ram Mandir at a grand “bhoomi pujan” ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday, and said that August 5 will stand as a symbol of the commitment of several generations that devoted their lives to the construction of the temple, just as August 15 symbolises the sacrifices of countless Indians for Independence.
Modi spoke of Ram as a thread of India’s unity in diversity, referring to the multiplicity of Ramayanas across the country, highlighting Ram’s appeal across the world, and distilling Ram’s messages — of social harmony, non-discrimination, care for the poor, protecting those who seek refuge, and commitment to the motherland. He also said that the more power a nation has, the greater is its capacity for friendship. These were all messages widely read in sync with India’s contemporary governance and security priorities.
In the backdrop of the protracted political, social and legal dispute that has marked the issue of the Ram temple, Modi added that the temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood, and it was only through everyone’s participation (“sabka saath”) and with everyone’s trust (“sabka vishwas”) that India can achieve development for everyone (“sabka vikas”). He also pointed to the economic benefits of the temple for the wider Ayodhya region, where pilgrims from across the world would come to pray.
The beginning of the construction comes after a 135-yearold legal dispute culminated when the Supreme Court, last November, awarded the disputed land to Hindu parties. It also comes in the wake of a three-decade-long mobilisation by the BJP and its ideological affiliates, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 — an act declared illegal by the same SC verdict — that led to communal violence and deaths in various parts of the country.
The event was preceded by days of preparation and festivities in Ayodhya. Modi landed in the town on Wednesday morning, visited the Hanuman Garhi temple, planted a tree, participated in the rituals associated with bhoomi pujan, and then released a special postal stamp. He addressed a select audience, carefully curated due to pandemic-related restrictions, but his speech was beamed across the country. The event also saw the participation of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a special guest — a rare occasion when the PM and the RSS chief shared the stage and spoke on the same platform.
NEW DELHI: People lit earthen lamps in different parts of the country to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, as government functionaries, irrespective of political affiliations, termed the event as a “historic moment” for every Indian.
There was an air of accomplishment as workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and other affiliates of the latter blew conches when Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed ceremonial rituals at the sanctum sanctorum of the makeshift temple and placed a silver brick as the foundation for the new one.
BJP offices in various states were decorated and large screens were installed outside the offices to show the telecast of the ceremony — carried live by almost every news channel in the country. Party workers raised Jai Shri Ram and Jai Siya Ram slogans and after the ceremony, ladoos were distributed among people in several states.
Ram temples across India were done up for the occasion too, with even the streets leading to some in the country’s Hindi heartland decorated; special prayers were held in most.
In Raj Bhavans in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, earthen lamps were lit and special prayers were held.
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Aug 15 is embodiment of sacrifices of lakhs of people and a deep yearning for Independence... generations have made selfless sacrifices for the construction of the Ram temple.
NARENDRA MODI, PM