Tag: Babri Masjid And Ram Janmabhoomi

Ram Temple

‘Tears Of Joy Filled My Eyes As I Watched Bhoomi Poojan’

By LokMarg

Avadhesh Singh (74), a retired engineer in New Delhi, never thought he would see the Ram temple being built at Ayodhya in his lifetime. Now, he has no other desire left in heart

I never thought I would see this day in my lifetime but I did. Watching the Ayodhya Ram Mandir bhoomi poojan ceremony live on television, on August 5, made me so emotional that I can’t express it in words. Every time I think about it I have tears of joy in my eyes. I feel as if my life has served its purpose; there are no other desires left to be fulfilled. After the full telecast of the bhoomi poojan got over, utter peace descended on me.

Maybe the current generation won’t understand what we feel for Ram Ji. He feels like a family member, a very important part of our lives. Ramlilas were an important part of small towns in North India for long and it would be every child’s dream to be a participant in the Ramlila.

We embodied Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and many other characters as well as their characteristics in these events. Everyone has a sense of attachment to one’s birthplace and I feel at peace to know that Ram Ji will finally be established in his birthplace.

ALSO READ: ‘Bhoomi Poojan Was Rubbing Salt On Our Wounds’

Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992. We all know how things dragged after that day. But I am surprised at how Modiji gets everything done calmly. To say that I am in awe of his communication skills and how he strategically goes ahead about everything, would be an understatement. There weren’t even token protests on the day of the bhoomi poojan ceremony. Modiji ne apna vada poora kiya (Modiji fulfilled his promise).

I wish to visit Ayodhya soon. I hope the pandemic gets over and I can see the sanctum sanctorum with my own eyes. Modi hai to mumkin hai (Modi makes everything possible) were not just hollow words after all, you see.

Singh plans to visit Ayodhya soon.

Yes, Ram lives on in our hearts but faith is too huge a concept to be felt just by the heart. Temples are an important place to calm our minds and make our hearts come alive. When you visit a place of historical importance, you can be transported into that era and wonder how things took place at that time. Similarly, being able to visit Ram Ji’s birthplace would make us feel deeply connected to him.

ALSO READ: ‘Glad That Muslim Have Accepted Ayodhya Verdict’

Finally, after nearly 500 years, we can feel that sense of belonging. It took a long, long time for the Ram Mandir to finally begin taking shape, but it is happening.

I am a devout man and I have done a lot of vrats (fasting) in my life and regularly participate in many a religious ceremony. Rarely has a day gone by in my long life when I have put a morsel in mouth before my morning prayers. My aim is not to make anyone feel bad, but I want my space, to be able to practice my faith in my homeland. I hope many youngsters get reacquainted with the importance of faith in life in times as unpredictable and unprecedented as the pandemic.

I believe the Ram Mandir finally became a reality because of the faith of the people. I accept everything in my life as the will of God and as they say: Hoyi hai soi jo Ram rachi rakha (Everything happens as per God’s will and in him we should trust.

‘Bhoomi Poojan Was Rubbing Salt Into Our Wounds’

By LokMarg

Husan Ara, 46, says BJP has discarded the teachings of Ram ji. Ara believes Muslims are being targeted in a systematic and planned manner

When the Babri Masjid demolition took place in 1992, I was at my parents’ house in Kanpur with my new-born child. The demolition sparked off communal riots. For two days, a Hindu neighbour shielded 25-30 of us Muslims until his life came under threat. In that fearful atmosphere, we shifted to a Muslim area for shelter. I was around 19 then and till today I cannot forget those fearful days; its memory still scares my soul. I made myself a promise: I would never let hatred find space in my heart and I have been working towards spreading the message of harmony and humanity.

But today, with the BJP government in power, Muslims are being attacked, both covertly and overtly, in a far more poisonous way than 1992. Back then rioting was a-heat-of-the-moment response; now it is a systematic and planed attack at the very Muslim identity. The recent Ramjanmbhoomi Poojan ceremony at Ayodhya shows this clearly.

The government which didn’t have any time or strategy for migrant labourers on the road during lockdown or for people rendered homeless due to floods or the falling economy, pulled out all the stops for the bhoomi poojan. Talk of priorities!

ALSO READ: ‘Forget Mandir-Masjid, Focus On Issues That Matter’

It is not about shifting the mosque to a new address. It is about continuously striking at and humiliating the Muslim identity. Wasn’t it graceful of Muslims to accept the Supreme Court verdict last November? But no, the bhoomi poojan had to be made into a gala affair, even during pandemic, to rub salt on our wounds.

Muslims in India have grown up watching the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. We understand the essence of Ram and his teachings well. But perhaps Modi ji does not understand it. Ram represented the virtues of an ideal ruler who is dayaalu (compassionate), vinamra (soft-spoken) and nyaypriya (fair and just). Even when Ravan was dying Ram Ji asked Lakshman Ji to sit at the demon king’s feet and seek advice. Dushmanon se bhi acche se pesh aate the Ram ji (Lord Ram would treat even his enemies with respect).

No matter what the BJP and RSS believe or propagate, Indian Muslims are a secular lot and love to blend with the culture of this land. We have respect and reverence for Ram Ji and he would never have approved the dismantling or destruction of an existing religious structure which our present rulers have done.

There was an illustration doing the rounds after bhoomi poojan where Modiji can be seen taking Ram Ji towards the Ayodhya temple. I was aghast to see how Modiji was made bigger than Ram Ji? Is our PM even greater than God? Have the Modi bhakts lost it?

ALSO READ: ‘Glad That Muslims Have Accepted SC Verdict’

Ram was called Maryada Purushottam butthere is no maryada in our leaders of today. Whenthebhoomipoojan got over, many people in complete disregard to social distancing, came out in droves and burst crackers.

Ram ji taught us that having power isn’t enough; it is equally important to use that power wisely. I hope people understand that their hatred for the ordinary Indian Muslim is not on just grounds. Hatred begets more hatred. I hope my countrymen understand that our hearts are our mandir–masjid as well. Hamara dil bhoomi jaisa hai jisme prem aur sauhard jaise gunon ki sthapana ki jani chahiye (our hearts are like the ground on which the seeds of love and harmony are to be sowed).

‘Glad That Muslims Have Accepted SC Verdict On Ayodhya’

By LokMarg

Dheer Shant Das, 50, a katha vachak (religious narrator) at ISKCON in Uttar Pradesh, a temple for Ram at his birthplace holds great value for the practicing Hindu 

At ISKCON, we routinely conducts kathas (religious discourse) both on Lord Krishna as well as Lord Ram. I am deeply attached to the virtues of Ram and Krishna, and therefore I am happy with the Supreme Court verdict on Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. The Bench said in its judgement that Babri Masjid was not constructed on vacant land. There was a structure underlying the Babri Masjid which was not an Islamic structure. After a long legal journey, the foundation for a Ram temple at his birthplace has been laid.

I am also happy that by and large our Muslim brothers have also accepted the court’s decision. Many Muslim organisations have in fact welcomed the judgement. They see in the verdict an end to the acrimony between two largest communities of the country.

The birthplace of Ram holds great value for the practising Hindu. Even though Hinduism speaks about both sagun upasana (idol worship) and nirgun upasana (worship of the formless), the former is seen as a stepping stone towards the latter. For the layman, grasping the intellectual concepts of formlessness isn’t an easy task and thus temples and idols are important for the peace of mind of the common man. 

It wouldn’t be wrong to call Ayodhya the kendra bindu (centre point) of the Hindu sentiment. Ram as human incarnationset down the rules or laws for how a state should be efficiently run and taught us that one should have a balanced personality. One should never go and hurt another without reason, but one should not tolerate injustice too.

We read so often about Muslim rulers in the past who destroyed or desecrated Hindu temples and people let go of many temples. And even though I believe the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 was a violent act and unlawful yet, I feel it was an outburst of people who were angry with subsequent governments ignoring the sentiments of the Hindu population. I know human feelings and faith don’t abide by the rules of law, they just exist. I am a Law graduate. And before my spiritual journey began, I had wanted to be a lawyer. Good jurisprudence can differentiate between matters of faith and law.

If we take the story of Ram into consideration, he waged a war on Ravan only as a last resort and then asked his brother Lakshman to sit at Ravan’s feet and seek gyan. Ram would never cross the line or act in rage without a valid cause. Similarly, his followers or bhakts must also imbibe such values and work towards a system that ensures justice for all.

A good politician or party should take care of everyone in the country. It cannot discriminate on the basis of religion. I am not a BJP supporter. But I am happy that there is finally a government that isn’t afraid to take tough call and skirt important issues.

Ram Temple - Faith Accompli

Watch – Will Ram Temple Be Built?

By LokMarg

Most Hindu residents of Faizabad believe a temple for Ram in Ayodhya is a fait accompli, via court or legislation. Muslims are worried about livelihood and violence. LokMarg speaks to Faizabad people about this complex issue. Watch, share and comment.