PM Modi Hails Ayodhya Ram Mandir Consecration as a Milestone in India’s Cultural Revival
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir as a historic moment marking the “re-establishment of India’s cultural consciousness.” Speaking during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Sunday, Modi highlighted the event’s significance, calling it a pivotal moment in the country’s heritage.
“This Dwadashi of Pran Pratishtha is the Dwadashi of the re-establishment of the cultural consciousness of India,” the Prime Minister said, referring to the anniversary of the consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024. The installation of the new Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Mandir concluded a decades-long dispute and has since become a symbol of national pride.
Modi emphasized the importance of preserving India’s heritage while advancing on the path of development. “We must take inspiration from our heritage as we move forward,” he said.
As the first anniversary of the event approaches, it has sparked political controversy. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat recently commented that India achieved “true independence” on the day the Ram temple was consecrated. Bhagwat’s remarks, made on January 13, stirred a political storm, with opposition leaders criticizing his statement.
Bhagwat argued that while India gained political independence on August 15, 1947, the country’s written Constitution was not initially implemented in alignment with its cultural spirit and vision. His comments drew sharp criticism from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who condemned them as “treason” and an insult to the sacrifices made during India’s freedom struggle.
“To say India did not gain independence in 1947 is an affront to every Indian,” Gandhi said on January 15. He reiterated his criticism on Saturday, stating that Bhagwat’s remarks undermined the Constitution and the values it upholds.
In his address, Modi also highlighted the significance of the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, praising it as a symbol of unity and inclusivity. “The Kumbh celebrates unity in diversity, where there is no discrimination or casteism,” he said. Modi lauded the festival as a confluence of harmony and equality, where people from all walks of life—rich and poor—come together, take holy dips at the Sangam, share meals at Bhandaras, and receive blessings.
“The Maha Kumbh is the Maha Kumbh of unity,” he declared, emphasizing its timeless tradition of equality and togetherness.
