“Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai
Siyavar Ram Chandra ki Jai
Jai Siya Ram
Jai Siya Ram.”
This is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his speech at the Bhoomi Poojan for the Ram Temple a little after 1:30 pm on Wednesday, 5 August, in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya after laying a 40-kg silver brick.
In attendance were several political and religious leaders including UP CM Yogi Adityanath, UP Governor Anandibai Patel, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas and Ram Mandir Trust head Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.
Moderating the event was VHP leader and Ram Mandir trust general secretary Champat Rai. Congratulating the devotees of Lord Ram, PM Modi said, “I congratulate the Bharat bhakts (devotees of India) and Ram bhakts (devotees of Ram) in the entire world today. It is my pleasure that I was invited by the Ramjanmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust for this day.”
The trust was formed to oversee the construction of the temple in Ayodhya according to the Supreme Court verdict on the land dispute on 9 November.
Before PM Modi, Bhagwat and Adityanath spoke as well. We bring you excerpts from their speeches.
‘Wait that Spanned Generations Ends’: PM Modi
The prime minister went on to add that his visit to Ayodhya was only natural.
He added, “Ramlalla (the idol of Ram) stayed under a tent for years, now a grand temple will be inaugurated.”
Addressing the people who played a role in the Ram Mandir’s inauguration on Wednesday, PM Modi said, “I am telling all those people, I am bowing my head to them on behalf of 130 crore people. Every person who was connected to the pure movement of the Ram janmabhoomi is seeing this right now. They are surely sentimental and are being blessed.”
‘Ram in Our Hearts’
Speaking about Ram, PM Modi said, “Ram is instilled in our hearts. He is among us. If we have to do any work, then for inspiration we look towards him.” He also said:
He added that Lord Ram is India’s modesty (maryada) and is the most dignified man as well (maryada purushottam).
Speaking about what this temple will do for the coming generations, Modi added it would be an inspiration for faith and determination.
Speaking about his stop at Ayohdya’s Hanuman Garhi before coming to the Bhoomi Poojan location, he said, “Before coming here, I went to Hanuman Garhi. All of Ram’s work is done by Hanuman only. From Hanuman’s blessings, the Bhoomi Poojan has begun today. The Ram Mandir will become a modern symbol of traditions for India.”
‘Mahatma Gandhi Wanted Ram Rajya’
The prime minister said due to circumstances around COVID-19, the event was modestly conducted as it should have been. “This was also shown the day the Supreme Court made its announcement. Even then everyone was peaceful and considerate of each other’s feelings,” Modi said.
Speaking about how the Ram setu (mythological reference to a bridge that connected India to Sri Lanka) was built by carving Ram’s name in each brick, he said people across India similarly have sent holy soil and water to create an infallible power here.
“Your homeland is more important that heaven. This was also the teaching of Lord Ram,” he said adding that the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, also wanted to live by the attributes and lessons from Lord Ram.
Yogi Adityanath Credits PM Modi in Speech
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath credited the foresight and wisdom of PM Modi, which he says eventually led to a “peaceful resolution” of the Ram temple issue. He said it was the power of democracy and judiciary, under the leadership of the PM, which has stood as an example of how solutions to problems can be found through democratic and constitutional means.
"Prime minister’s foresight and wisdom paved the way for peaceful resolution of Ram temple issue," he said.
RSS Chief Says Resolve Fulfilled
RSS sanghsarchalak Mohan Bhagwat in his speech said, “We had taken a resolution. I remember the then RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras telling us that we will have to struggle for 20 to 30 years, only then will this be fulfilled. We struggled and at the beginning of the 30th year, we have attained the joy of fulfilling our resolution.”
Speaking about how happy the day of Bhoomi Poojan has made people, he said, “There is happiness and joy as centuries of hope have been the fulfilled”. He added how several people who liked to be here could not, “So many people had sacrificed but they couldn’t be here physically. There are some who couldn’t come here, Advani ji must be watching this at his home. There are some who should’ve come but couldn’t be invited because of the situation (referring to COVID-19),” he added.
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