Indore: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said the date of the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi” as the “true independence” of Bharat, which faced “parachakra” (enemy attack) for several centuries, was established on this day.
He said after India got political independence from the British on August 15, 1947, a written Constitution was made according to the path shown by that specific vision, which comes out of the “self” of the country, but the document was not run according to the spirit of the vision at that time.
According to the Hindu calendar, the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya took place on the Dwadashi date of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Paush last year. Then the date in the Gregorian calendar was January 22, 2024. This year, the date of Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashi fell on January 11.
During a ceremony in Indore, Bhagwat presented the National Devi Ahilya Award to Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. He reiterated that two days after the first anniversary of the temple’s consecration should be celebrated as Pratishtha Dwadashi. This day symbolizes India’s true independence, achieved after enduring centuries of foreign attacks. Bhagwat noted that during the Ayodhya ceremony, there was no discord, and people witnessed it with pure minds.
Bhagwat stressed that ideals and values represented by Lords Ram, Krishna, and Shiva are integral to India’s identity. These deities are not exclusive to their worshippers but embody universal principles. He explained that invaders destroyed temples to erase India’s self-identity. The prolonged Ram Mandir movement faced resistance from forces opposing a temple at Lord Ram’s birthplace.
The RSS chief recalled a meeting with former President Pranab Mukherjee when Ghar Wapsi discussions were prominent in Parliament. Mukherjee remarked that India’s Constitution is among the world’s most secular documents and questioned why others should teach India secularism. Bhagwat mentioned Mukherjee’s reference to India’s 5,000-year-old tradition rooted in figures like Ram, Krishna, and Shiva.
During the 1980s Ram Mandir movement, Bhagwat encountered questions about prioritizing temple construction over livelihood concerns. He responded by questioning India’s progress compared to countries like Israel and Japan despite socialist slogans post-independence. He argued that India’s path to prosperity involves embracing its cultural heritage through symbols like the Ram temple.
After receiving his award, Champat Rai dedicated it to all contributors to the Ram Mandir movement. He described the temple as a symbol of national pride and saw himself as a facilitator for its construction. The prestigious award is annually presented by Indore-based Shri Ahilyotsav Samiti for contributions in various social fields. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan leads this organization.
Addressing attendees, Mahajan announced plans for a grand memorial dedicated to Devi Ahilyabai in Indore. This memorial aims to educate people about her life and character. Over time, notable figures like Nanaji Deshmukh, Vijaya Raje Scindia, Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, and Sudha Murty have received the National Devi Ahilya Award.
