Bhubaneswar: “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patitapaban Sita Ram…” This Bhajan often recited by Mahatma Gandhi went round the country on January 22 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi became a “Karta” in the “Prana Pratitha” Program at Ayodhya. Lord Ram Lala’s image was installed and got life at His birth place, for which a fight continued for over 500 years. History says that the child Ram’s temple was erased by then Muslim rulers and erected a Masjid at the place for which the legal cases continued for a long time.
This nation has witnessed the then Opposition and now in Power- Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) rise in Indian politics. The BJP’s fate has all along been associated with Ram Janmabhoomi movement for which the main architects like Lal Krishna Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi and some other saffron veterans have to pay a very heavy price. Many of them have died while Shri Advani, who pulled the BJP from just 2 seats in Lok Sabha to 88 seats after his Rath Jatra, is now frail and unable to attend the January 22 mega event. Prime Minister Shri Modi, who is also a dedicated Ram Bhakt, took the charge and became a ‘Karta’ in the ‘Pran Pratistha’ Program.
The people who have knowledge on the contribution of Shri Advani towards the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, silently recalled the veteran leader, but he was sadly not seen among the crowd of who’s who in India at Ayodhya. The greatest Ram Bhakt was missing along with all the four Shankaracharyas.
It may be the fulfillment of the centuries long dreams of crores of Ram Bhakt across the country, but so far politics is concerned, January 22 event , was certainly a “growth tonic” for the Governing BJP ahead of the general elections for the Lok sabha. The manner in which the Ram Mandir was opened in a grand way, the only party which will reap a rich dividend is certainly BJP.
The party led by Shri Modi will certainly reap bonanza in the coming elections. Once again Lord Ram has come to the rescue of BJP. In initial days when the BJP was not pulling ahead despite presence of Atal Behari Vajpayee, however, it is Shri Advani’s Rath Jatra and Ram Janmabhoomi movement that brought BJP to fore. After nine years in power, BJP is now facing a challenge from INDIA bloc parties and regional parties. And Once again Lord Ram’s event has further brightened the political prospect of BJP.
Though Shankaracharyas refused to attend the January 22 event, Lord Rama Lala’s Pratistha Program was a grand success. It was observed not only in India, but in several other countries.
One thing should be clear here that after Mahatma Gandhi, the only politician who has understood the power of ‘Ram Naam’, is Shri Modi. Gandhi ji has properly and deliberately used “Ram Dhun” during the freedom struggle. This Bhajan named after Lord Ram had then in the 1940s played a pivotal role in uniting the people across India. The people largely joined the freedom movement singing “Raghupati Raghav…” and now it is the turn of Shri Modi.
Prime Minister Shri Modi knows the power of ‘Ram Naam’. He has also selected the proper time, which is just 120 days before the general elections. Shri Modi ensured that Lord Ram Lala’s statue got “Pran” and installed at the temple.
Shri Modi also knows that his government was getting away from the poor people because of the price rise of essential items and high fuel price. What could be the most effective mantra than ‘Ram Naam’ to win the people, both poor and middle class? Politically correct Shri Modi, in fact understands the importance of Shree Ram before the people of India, particularly in Hindi belt, which comprises around 50 per cent of Lok Sabha seats in Parliament. By Opening Ram Temple ahead of the elections, Shri Modi has apparently ensured a majority for his party before the votes were cast!
Opposition Congress, on the other hand, failed to realize the strength of “Ram Dhun” which had helped bring Independence for India. While Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are yet to understand the power of “Ram Dhun”, Shri Modi has defeated them in the first round. The Congress had benefited from “Ram Dhun” and ruled the country for about seven decades while BJP is now reaping heavy dividends from the “Ram Temple”. The saffron party came to power by chanting Ram Naam and now extending its tenure in the government by building the “Ram Temple.” The Congress leaders miserably failed to read between the lines and also became unsuccessful in taking benefits from the Lord Ram.
Anyway, the people of India would very soon know to what extent the Ram Temple will help BJP and to what proportion, it will alienate Congress from the masses.
