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For family of kar sevaks who died in firing, sacrifice bears fruit

They feel the sacrifice made by their loved ones has now borne fruit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lay the foundation stone of the temple on Wednesday.

Updated on: Aug 5, 2020, 14:02:55 IST
Hindustan Times, Ayodhya | By
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For family members of the kar sevaks who died in police firing in Ayodhya on October 30 and November 2, 1990, the Ram temple bhumi pujan is of special significance.

Foundation brick at Bhoomi Poojan ceremony, Ayodhya. (HT Photos)
Foundation brick at Bhoomi Poojan ceremony, Ayodhya. (HT Photos)

They feel the sacrifice made by their loved ones has now borne fruit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lay the foundation stone of the temple on Wednesday. Four Ayodhya, kars sevaks -- Vasudev Gupta, Ramesh Pandey, Rajendra Dharkar and Vishnu Gupta -- died in the police firing. Gupta and Pandey were married when they died and had children while Dharkar was newly married and had no children. Vishnu was unmarried and his parents left Ayodhya few years after the incident.

Gayatri Pandey, wife of Ramesh Pandey, is a satisfied person now. “When my husband died, my four children were kids. Life became an ordeal. We lived in a rented house. As time passed, we learnt to face hardships,” said Gayatri. “But I used to wonder when my husband’s sacrifice will be justified with construction of Ram temple,” added Gayatri.

“Now, when the PM is coming for temple bhumi pujan, I feel satisfied that my husband’s sacrifice has not been wasted,” pointed out Gayatri. Vasudev Gupta’s family also had to face a lot of hardships due to his untimely demise. His wife Annapurna and youngest son died long back after prolonged illness. Vasudev’s elder son Sandeep and two daughters are alive. All of them are married.

“My father will rejoice in heaven after the bhumi pujan. Now, when Prime Minister is coming for the bhumi pujan there is no doubt whether Ram temple will be constructed or not,” said Sandeep. “My sisters and I are very happy that after 30 years, the sacrifice of our father has not gone in vain,” added Sandeep.

Rajendra Dharkar’s elder brother Rajesh is a satisfied man now. “With the consent of all family members, Rajendra’s wife was remarried after his death as she was young when my brother passed away,” he said. “My parents passed away long back after Rajendra’s death. Now, I am satisfied that my brother’s sacrifice has not gone waste,” added Rajesh.

  • Pawan Dixit
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Pawan Dixit

    Pawan Dixit, Assistant Editor, brings over 20 years of frontline reporting experience to the newsroom. A specialist on Uttar Pradesh politics and governance, he has reported from the ground across the state’s most consequential stories. He cut his teeth in eastern UP, spending 15 years covering the region. Based in Varanasi, he reported the 2012 UP Assembly polls and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that reshaped the state’s political map. Moving to Lucknow in 2016, he has since led coverage of the 2017 and 2022 UP Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His reporting tracks the BJP’s strategy, opposition moves, and voter sentiment across all 75 districts. Pawan has been a constant presence in Ayodhya since 2016. He reported the entire arc of the Ram Mandir movement — from the legal fight to the Supreme Court verdict, through temple construction, to the inauguration. He continues to track every development at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. On the state beat, he covers the BJP, the Industrial Development Department, and handles key outstation political assignments. He also reports major cases from the district court, Lucknow bench of the High Court, and the State Information Commission. Along with this, he also reports on NGT's important decisions related to UP. Known for sharp sourcing and clear analysis, Pawan connects politics, policy, infrastructure and faith — the forces driving UP today. He has reported developments in Ayodhya and Ram Mandir movement since 2016. The Supreme Court's Ram Mandir verdict, temple construction and the its opening have been reported by him. He reports all developments in Ayodhya and Ram Mandir Trust. He covers state BJP, Industrial development department, outstation political assignments, reports special cases from district court, high court and state information commissionRead More