LK Advani hails PM Modi as devotee chosen by Lord Ram to renovate temple and for overseeing its construction
LK Advani hails PM Modi as devotee chosen by Lord Ram to renovate temple and for overseeing its construction
According to L.K.Advani, construction of Ram Temple in UP’s Ayodhya is seen as a fate decided long before it actually took place.
BJP veteran LK Advani, this week declared labelling himself the “charioteer” who steered the controversial ‘rath yatra’ that began in Gujarat’s Somnath on September 25, 1990, and culminated with demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, with Mr Advani on the spot.
Advani, stages a comeback to Ayodhya on January 22 to witness PM Modi, then his aide, headline the consecration ceremony, also said he hoped the temple would “inspire all Indians to adopt the qualities of Lord Ram”.
“At that time, in September 1990, a few days after the yantra began, Advani felt that destiny had decided that one day a grand Ram temple would be built in Ayodhya… now it is only a matter of time.
And, a few days after the ‘rath yatra’ began, he realised he was just a charioteer. The main message was the yatra itself… that was the ‘chariot’ worthy of worship because it was going to Lord Ram’s birthplace.
Speaking to a magazine in an article to be released, Advani also congratulated the PM Modi whom he referred to as “the devotee chosen by Lord Ram to renovate his temple” – for overseeing the construction of the building.
Advani’s ‘rath yatra’, which he co-led with another BJP old-timer – Murali Manohar Joshi – snowballed into a controversial event that led to communal violence across parts of north India.
In the article, he described it as “the most decisive and transformative event of his political career”, one that gave him an opportunity to “re-discover India” and himself.
Advani added that they were not aware (then) that their faith in Lord Ram, with which they started the yatra, would take the form of a movement in the country. This he was saying on the support he received in the first leg of his journey – from Gujarat to Maharashtra – and in subsequent stages.
In the midst of the yatra, there were many experiences which influenced my life. Unknown villagers from remote villages would come to him overwhelmed with emotion after seeing the chariot.
They would salute – chant ‘Ram’ and go away. This was a message – that there were many people who dreamt of a Ram Temple…”
Meanwhile, now, when PM Modi consecrates the temple, he will represent every citizen of India.
News Edit K.V.Raman
