Soulful Rebirth of Bharat through restoration of its Sanctum Sanctorum – Shri Ram’s birthplace, Ayodhya

Opinion

“Truth controls this world, and dharma are rooted in truth.” — Shri Rama

 The inauguration of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, remains etched in our collective memory as a momentous occasion. It symbolized not only the culmination of a long-standing aspiration but also marked a historic celebration of a nation’s renewed commitment to its foundational principles of Dharma (righteousness) and Ahimsa (non-violence).

This renewed commitment to these cardinal Hindu values was celebrated with passionate pomp and zeal that spread like wildfire beyond the borders of Bharat. Thus, the omnipresence of Shri Ram was felt all over the world from Delhi to Dubai to Mauritius to London to Toronto to New York, where the diaspora celebrated this mega spiritual congregation with bliss and ecstasy. Diwali was celebrated all over again as the second homecoming of Shri Ram after more than 500 years of imposed exile through political, societal, and religious intrigue!

Even more extraordinary was the fact that people of other faiths, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and others took part in these unique celebrations. Atheists and free thinkers joined in too. The most poignant example is that of the young Shabnam Shaikh, describing herself as a Sanatani Muslim, undertook a solo pilgrimage to Ayodhya from Mumbai so as not to miss this grand spiritual event (see ‘Firstpost’, 29 Dec 2023). South Korean descendants of Princess Suriratna, Princess of Ayodhya before she married King Kim Suro of Karak Clan, undertook the pilgrimage too!

As an active member of the diaspora in Canada, I too celebrated this unique event with my family with a feeling of immense joy and emotion. Having lived through the different phases of this grand venture over the past 50 years, as a student, resident, as a visiting consultant, and as one of Indian ancestry, I felt overwhelmed by this momentous occasion.

I am also a voracious reader of most editorials and headlines in the mainstream media around the world. As such, I was curious to read what these editorialists had to say about this event.

Unfortunately, the post-truth era is marked by a decline in objective facts shaping public opinion, often influenced by emotions, personal prejudices, political intrigue, and pitting different religious schools of thought against one another. Such a strategy of publishing garbage and feeding it to the lay public is a dangerous game played by prejudiced “idiotorialists” and is irresponsible, dangerous, and always has a hidden agenda.

The illiberal left cabal led by the likes of Soros et al swiftly swung into action and began their anti-India, anti-Hindu, anti-Modi rhetoric through their “idiotorials” in a malignant campaign of disinformation, fake theories, and character assassination. Truth is always the first casualty of pseudo-intellectual barbarism. Not one of them mentioned that demented Babur had destroyed Shri Ram’s birthplace and Hinduism’s sanctum sanctorum to build a mosque. Similar atrocities committed at other sanctum sanctorum sites of Hinduism were swept aside in their vain attempt to rouse communal disharmony and strife. The Indian cabal gave it a local flavour emphasizing how enlightened Hindus were against this “political gimmick”! Such desperation can only be the byproduct of a psychopathic mindset.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the free thinker, has recently placed secularism in context. He mentions that “several generations of our country developed a slave mentality” due to “insecurity built around secularism.” He specifically asserts that “Rashtra Bhakti (patriotism) and Daiva Bhakti (devotion to God) were two sides of the same coin.” These concepts were dichotomized by short-sighted politicians and leaders after independence to protect secularism and their colonial mindset. The Hindu identity was lost by such relentless assaults fuelled by mass conversions.

Against this cabal of Lilliputians and their treacherous modus operandi stands a giant of an individual in the Prime Minister of Bharat, Shri Narendra Modi, who beacon-like is showing us the path of righteousness and enlightenment. Unperturbed by idiotorial narratives, he lumbers on like a juggernaut leading Bharat on a new dawn, a rebirth, a Vedic renaissance solidly ground on foundational and epochal values. It was a mesmerizing sight to watch the PM of Bharat lying prostrate at the idol of Balak Ramlalla, in total communion with the spirit and spirituality of this solemn occasion – the Pran Pratishtha. The greatness of this man does not lie with the mega projects he has kick-started since assuming power (Ayushman Bharat is one that touches my heart, there are hundreds more) but rather lies with the fact that he lives and practises what he preaches. He has restored Shri Ram Mandir to its rightful place non-violently. He did it the legal way, the peaceful and pacific way, and backed by a Supreme Court of India decision.

In fact, the Supreme Court of India went a step further to ensure peace and communal harmony. It granted a generous plot of land in Ayodhya for the construction of a grand mosque for Muslims. This is Hindutva – all-inclusive, all-encompassing, global, universal.

From India’s tryst with destiny in 1947 to the rebirth of Bharat in 2024, the country has emerged as a superpower set to recapture its erstwhile grandeur and glory, shedding along its “long walk to freedom” shackles of invaders, fetters of biased societies and collateral damage from political and religious intrigue surrounding its independence. It has acquired the freedom to be free!

I am reminded of Guru Tagore’s prophetic words: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where knowledge comes from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action; Into that haven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!”.

Bharat has awoken and spoken through the restoration of its sanctum sanctorum.

Jai Shri Ram. Jai Hind!

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 15 March 2024