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‘Dream close to my heart getting fulfilled’: LK Advani on Ram temple event
The Ram temple movement gained political currency when the then BJP president LK Advani started his ‘Ram Rath Yatra’ in 1990.
Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch LK Advani on Tuesday said he feels humbled that during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement destiny made him perform a pivotal duty in the form of the Ram Rath yatra which was taken out from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh in 1990.
Advani, in a statement issued a day before the ground-breaking ceremony will take place in Ayodhya to mark the beginning of the construction of the Ram Temple, also referred to the temple’s construction as the fulfilment of a long pending dream.
“Sometimes significant dreams in one’s life take a long time to fruition. But when they are finally realised, the wait is worthwhile. One such dream, close to my heart is now getting fulfilled,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and a host of other senior RSS functionaries will be present in Ayodhya for the mega ceremony on Wednesday morning.
Referring to the temple’s construction, the veteran BJP leader said, “On this auspicious occasion, I want to express my gratitude to the scores of saints, leaders and people from India and the world over who made valuable contributions and sacrifices in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. And I am also very happy that due to the decisive verdict of the Supreme Court in November 2019, the construction of Shri Ram Mandir is getting started in an environment of tranquility. This will go a long way in strengthening the bond between Indians.”
The day, he said, is historical and emotional not only for him but all Indians.
Advani, along with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, is also an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
In December 1992, Kar Sevaks had demolished the Babri Masjid that stood at the disputed site for over 400 years. Last month, Advani sat through the final deposition in the case through a video conferencing facility; the verdict by a CBI special court is expected to come by August 30.
A controversy was also stoked about the invitation to attend the ceremony not being sent to Advani, Joshi and former Uttra Pradesh CM Kalyan Singh. A functionary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, however, said the invitations were sent but the leaders were requested to join the ceremony through video conferencing.
“Since there is a pandemic and all three of them are elderly and in frail health it was decided that they will be requested to not be physically present for the Bhumi Poojan,” said a VHP functionary.
Advani‘s statement made no reference to the invitation, he instead expressed hope that the construction of the temple would pave the way for inclusion.
“It is my belief that the Ram Mandir will represent India as a strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious nation with justice for all and exclusion of none to truly usher in Ram Rajya, the epitome of good governance,” he said.
Former union minister Uma Bharti, who was also part of the Rath Rath yatra, has already announced that she will pay obeisance at the temple once the ceremony gets over as a precaution against the coronavirus.
