India witnessed an epic moment when Ram, who lived under a tent for decades, was given a due place under the sun at Ayodhya, where he was born. The consecration was led by the ‘Yajaman,’ the ritual patron, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, joined by the RSS Chief, Mohan Bhagwat, and many Hindu seers.
Babur, the leader of the Moghul empire in India and a direct descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, destroyed the Ram temple and turned it into a mosque. The invaders completely or partially destroyed a number of Hindu temples in India, not just the one in Ayodhya. That’s history, largely forgotten or accepted by the Hindus, who continued to live under slavery for five or more further centuries under the rule of the Moghuls and the British.
The arrival of a right-wing BJP in the form of Jana Sangh could not rouse and rein Hindu sentiments and was the result of an anti-incumbency of the past Congress rule. However, in the post-Rath Yatra period, when the Babri Masjid was razed, followed by a nation-wide disturbance, long litigation, and archaeological surveys, and after nail-biting Supreme Court sessions, the Ayodhya site was reclaimed by the Hindu side. Political agitprop cannot erase any of these from history. For many, it was a wrong of centuries, undone now.
While it is ill-aimed to target the present-day minorities for any acts of omission or commission by the early invaders like Mohammad Gazini, Chengiz Khan, Babar, or later by Aurangazeb, the minorities also must not stick to a continued denial mode, which would not be beneficial to anyone. The Modi-led BJP party made an election promise to build the Ram temple, which has been done only after the highest court cleared it. All parties involved should respect that.
The present opposition is peeved as to why Modi is taking centre stage in the Ram temple consecration. In the 75 years of post-independent India, many leaders from every party have participated in several consecrations and inaugurations of temples, mosques, and churches. One should not respect an individual’s choice in matters of religion. These are requisites to prove one’s credentials in today’s Indian political scenario.
The BJP does not suffer from the need for such pretences and is overtly pro-Hinduist. That does not mean that minorities could be in any danger in any manner whatsoever and should continue to put faith in the government, the constitution, and, above all, the judiciary. The majority of Hindus want to live in amity, respecting all other religions; the only amendment now is demanding that Hinduism and its gods be respected as well. No more getting away by putting pictures of Ganesh on toilet seats or footwear. An awakened Hindu has gathered courage to oppose it.
Ram, as I have written in my earlier posts, was upright and astute for his honesty and inclusivity of fair governance for all his subjects as a king. I firmly hope that Ram will usher good not only for Hindus but for all humanity. Let us all seek the blessings of Ram that he ushers the best for one and all!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
