Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi Seeks Blessings from Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Reaffirms Commitment on PoK as Leaders Echo National Sentiment
In a symbolic gesture, Indian Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited the spiritual town of Chitrakoot on May 28 to seek the blessings of renowned Hindu spiritual leader and Padma Vibhushan awardee Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya.
The meeting, held at the Tulsi Peeth Ashram, was more than a spiritual rendezvous — it carried nationalistic overtones and underscored the growing synergy between India’s spiritual ethos and its strategic priorities.
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, 75, is one of the four highly respected Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas and the founder of the revered Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.
Despite being blind from infancy, he is known across the nation for his scholarly depth in Hindu scriptures, his contributions to literature, and his pivotal role during the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi legal proceedings.
During General Dwivedi’s visit, the revered saint initiated the Army chief into the sacred “Ram Mantra” — a divine chant that, according to him, was once bestowed upon Lord Hanuman by Goddess Sita before he embarked on his historic journey to Lanka in the Ramayana.
However, the meeting took an unexpectedly political and patriotic turn when Rambhadracharya spoke about the idea of Dakshina, the traditional offering given to a spiritual master after receiving wisdom.
In a dramatic and symbolic gesture, he recounted, “When it was time for Dakshina, I told the General that I would ask for something no teacher has ever asked before.
I asked for PoK — Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.” The Army Chief, he said, acknowledged the request, symbolically aligning with the long-held aspiration of reclaiming the territory.
This moment was later shared publicly on the Jagadguru’s official social media handle, which also highlighted General Dwivedi’s interaction with local saints and students.
The Army Chief reportedly praised the bravery and discipline of the Indian Armed Forces, offering insights into their sacrifice and dedication in safeguarding the nation.
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, who played a critical role in the legal affirmation of Ayodhya as the birthplace of Lord Ram, rose to prominence for his expert testimony in 2003 before the Allahabad High Court.
Drawing from the Ramayana, Skanda Purana, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Rāmatāpanīya Upaniṣad, he provided religious and scriptural validation of Ayodhya’s sanctity — a contribution that was referenced in the final verdict that paved the way for the construction of the Ram Temple.
The spiritual leader’s fervent call to reclaim PoK is not an isolated sentiment. Just a day later, on May 29, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a public address, echoed a similar stance.
Without naming Rambhadracharya directly, Singh reinforced India’s unwavering commitment to the cause of PoK. “The people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are part of our larger Indian family,” he declared.
“The day will come when they will reunite with their motherland, willingly and with pride.”
Singh also linked this national aspiration to India’s strides in achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing and strategic capability. Citing the success of Operation Sindoor, he underlined India’s increasing readiness and capability to defend its interests with indigenously developed systems and weapons platforms.
The defence minister emphasised the recent greenlighting of private sector involvement in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program as a milestone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
Amid these internal developments, India is also actively reinforcing its position on the international stage. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India has dispatched seven multi-party delegations to key partner nations, including members of the United Nations Security Council.
These delegations have been tasked with presenting a detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor, a recent counter-terror operation, and reiterating India’s firm policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Through these diplomatic and military engagements, India seeks to not only convey the seriousness of its stance on PoK and cross-border terrorism but also to build global consensus on the need to recognise and counter state-sponsored militancy.
New Delhi’s comprehensive strategy now blends robust domestic resolve, strategic military preparedness, and proactive diplomatic outreach.
The convergence of religious symbolism, national security discourse, and foreign policy in this unfolding narrative marks a potent blend of cultural affirmation and strategic assertion, reinforcing India’s commitment to territorial integrity, spiritual heritage, and a forward-looking defence doctrine.
