Omkar Dattatray
The programme of Ram temple consecration has already left its imprint ,impact and is in fact leading to the national and cultural awakening of India .But the opposition parties who criticize and oppose the BJP for the Ram Temple inauguration do not understand that by opposing BJP ,they are opposing the national and cultural legacy of the nation and these so called secular parties will feel its impact and heat in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections .Under the garb of opposing Modi and BJP ,these opposition parties are in fact opposing the very life ,soul ,essence and breath of India and the sagacious and conscious people of the country will teach a lesson to such political parties in the coming general elections .First time since independence ,there is going to be the national and cultural renaissance in this country called Bharat and the people including the opposition parties should acknowledge and appreciate this fact and should avoid blind and negative opposition and criticism but they hardly will do it as the minority appeasement is the philosophy of these pseudo-secular parties .The devotion of Ram by the majority of Indians is unacceptable to them and they are ignoring the national and cultural awakening of India because of the Ram Janambooni movement and now by the construction of the grand Ram temple which now is a reality after a long struggle of 500 years .The Ram temple serves as a reminder of the nation’s ability to navigate its diverse and complex history ,fostering a future where cultural identity and progress is the key for the nations awakening .The Ram temples eagerly anticipated consecration on January 22,2024 ,is set to be a seminal event in the tapestry of Indian history ,intertwining time-honored traditions of the past with the robust progress of contemporary India .The temples inception has brought to life the decades-old chant ”Ram Lalla Hum Aayenge ,Mandir Wahin Banayenge,”a powerful slogan that has echoed in the hearts and minds of millions worldwide .For prime minister Narendra Modi ,who envisioned the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as a young Swayamsavak and is now realizing this vision as the nation’s leader and the executive head ,this journey has been one of unwavering” faith” and ”devotion.” Those familiar with India’s trajectory attest to this being the culmination of a lifelong commitment .It is a testament to both his dedication and the unwavering commitment of millions of devoted Swayamsavaks ,all united in their effort to realize this historical vision .However ,there is a long history that led to the re-establishment of Ram temple .A history that is deeply intertwined with a complex and longstanding dispute that epitomizes the challenges of communal harmony in India .In a landmark decision in 2019,the Supreme Court judiciously resolved this long -standing conflict .The court’s verdict not only facilitated the construction of the Ram Mandir on the contested site but also underscored the importance of balance and equity by allocating a separate area for the erection of a mosque .This judgment was more than a legal resolution ,it represented a pivotal moment in India’s ongoing journey towards communal harmony and mutual respect .The supreme Court’s historic decision to green light the construction of the temple marked the end of this protracted struggle,a narrative reminiscent of Lord Rama’s own period of exile and eventful return to Ayodhya.This mirrors the city’s prolonged anticipation for its spiritual rejuvenation .The reconstruction of the Ram Mandir transcends its role as a mere religious edifice.It represents a confluence of faith ,unity ,and a celebration of India’s rich civilizational and cultural heritage .It signifies the dawn of a new chapter of hope ,spiritual ,national and cultural awakening .Every brick laid in the temple ,imbued with devotion and reflective of India’s renewed spirit ,contributes to this historic monument .It stands not only a place of worship but also a symbol of the collective aspirations and rejuvenated spirit of India .Ram temple in Ayodhya is just the start of India’s cultural renaissance .As we ushered in 2024,India is on the cusp of a cultural renaissance .Apart from the consecration of Lord Rama’s idol at the newly constructed Ram temple ,the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation ,the centenary of Mumbia’s iconic Gateway of India and the centennial celebrations of Vaikom Satyagrah -the first ever struggle against caste discrimination are significant events this year .The consecration of the Ram idol at the newly built Ram Janambooni Temple at Ayodhya should not be seen as a mere religious event .True Hindus worship Ram .But just as Ramayan and Mahabharata are India,s national epics ,Ram is our national hero .Visit any part of the country ,you will find Ram in people’s names -from Ramachandran,Ramanathan,Rammayya or Ramappa,in the south to Rambhai ,Ramsingh or Ramasharn in the north .While debate about the historicity of Ramayana will continue ,it is a fact that Ram in particular and the Ramayana in general reflect the essentially Hindu/Indian belief that every individual has some elements of divinity within him or her—a foundational doctrine that Hindus often forget and so face the threat of fragmentation .Ram symbolizes the core of Indian value system that is founded on a humanitarian approach .The Ram temple in Ayodhya is a turning point in India’s cultural history .A society always at the receiving end of the injustice and atrocities of aggressors will liberate itself .This temple is a symbol of our ability to protect our self respect .The resurrection of the Ram temple in 2024 can be compared only with the resurrection of the Somnath temple in the 1950’s .What is being constructed in Ayodhya is not just a temple of brick and mortar but a monument saluting the civilizational journey of India .India ,as described by Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan ,is a country that is always ageing but is never old. This spirit finds its majestic manifestation in the temple that is currently getting its final shape.PM Modi has aptly appealed to countrymen to light a lamp on this day as the light of the eternally relevant message of Rama’s life and mission reaches all .While many in the west continue to struggle to effectively deal with multiculturalism ,in India this is inbuilt in our traditions. The Dalai Lama had once said,” India’s great tradition of religious tolerance can be the role model for entire world. ”It is important to remember this at a time when mindless westernization/Americanisation is eroding the rich cultures of several small countries ,especially in the southern hemisphere .For our cultural renaissance to attain its truest meaning we have to collectively rise above smaller identities ,especially those related to caste and community.It is heartening to hear Farooq Abdullah say, ”Ram doesn’t belong only to the Hindus .He belongs to all. ”This is a great transformation indeed .It would have been wonderful if Babur had realized this as well .By destroying the Ram temple ,he crippled the soul of Bharat ,a land of ekam sat vipra bahuda vadanti ( god is one but wise men describe him in different ways).All the above boils down to the fact that India’s national and cultural awakening has begun and all of us the Indian’s should carry it to desired fruition which will result in strengthening the national and cultural renaissance of India.Ram temple inauguration is the focal point of our cultural strength.
(The author is a columnist,social and KP activist)
