Amid the criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
by the Opposition parties for using Lord Ram and the Ram Mandir as a tool in
their election campaign in the poll-bound States, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said
the inauguration of the Ram Mandir is a big achievement as Lord Ram Chandra
represents the country’s history, heritage and is a symbol of culture.
“This is a big achievement of our life, the history of
which we can never forget. I myself took part in the Ram Mandir movement in
Ayodhya and went to jail. Many people did Satyagraha, there was a long
struggle,” said Nitin Gadkari.
“Lord Ram Chandra is our history, heritage and symbol
of our culture. Lord Ram will be established at his birthplace. What would make
Indians more happy than this?” he added.
The Union Minister said ‘Indians’ do not only include
Hindus but encompass all people who believe in Bharat’s cultural heritage and
history regardless of their religion.
“I believe that Indians do not only mean Hindus. Those
who believe in the cultural heritage and history of Bharat regardless of how
they worship. No matter who it is, everyone is joyous that Lord Ram’s Mandir is
being reinstated after Diwali,” he said.
Ram Mandir has taken centre stage in the election
campaign of the BJP. From PM Modi to Home Minister Amit Shah has accused
Congress of halting the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Addressing a public rally in Guna’s Raghogarh, Amit
Shah promised that the BJP would bear the cost for the darshan of Lord Ram
Lalla if its government is formed in Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
had accused the Congress of opposing the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
in the past and said that if the Congress had wanted to build the temple, it
could have built it in 1947 itself. He was speaking at an election rally at
Khategaon in Madhya Pradesh.
General Secretary of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Trust
Champat Rai on October 25 had said the idol of Lord Ram will be installed at
Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has
invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the consecration of the Temple.
After receiving the invitation for the consecration
ceremony of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi said that he feels “blessed”
and that it is his good fortune that he will be witnessing such a historic
occasion.
“Today is a day full of emotions. Recently, the
officials of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust came to meet me at my
residence. He has invited me to come to Ayodhya on the occasion of the
consecration of Ram temple,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Around 4,000 Saints and 2,500 eminent citizens will be
present at the historic moment of Prana Pratishta of Shri Vigraha of Bhagwan
Shri Ramlalla Sarkar at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on 22 January
2024.
ANI
