AYODHYA: With teary eyes, the long and arduous struggle of temple warriors finally comes to an end. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement campaigners experienced a momentous day as the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony took place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. One of the prominent warriors, Jagadguru Swamy Rambhadracharya, visually impaired since childhood, expressed his joy and appreciation for this historic occasion.
Swamy Rambhadracharya played a pivotal role in the movement, providing expert testimony on religious matters in the Allahabad High Court back in July 2003. His extensive 100-page affidavit and cross-examination were referenced in the final judgment by the HC. Citing various Hindu scriptures, including Ramayana, Ramatapaniya Upanishad, Skanda Purana, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda, Swamy Rambhadracharya established Ayodhya as the birthplace of Lord Ram.
Among the evidence presented, Swamy Rambhadracharya referred to verses from works composed by Tulsidas. One verse from the Doha Sataka described the destruction of a temple and the subsequent construction of a mosque at the disputed site by Babur in 1528 CE. Another verse from Kaitavali mentioned a mosque. The inclusion of these verses further strengthened the case for the temple warriors.
Invited to the consecration ceremony, Swamy Rambhadracharya was joined by several other prominent Janmabhoomi movement warriors who had dedicated their lives to the cause. The emotional reunion between Sadhvi Ritambhara and Uma Bharati, both key figures in the early stages of the mandir movement, brought tears to their eyes. Uma Bharati, sharing a photograph of the Ram temple, expressed her excitement and eagerly awaited the arrival of Ram Lalla.
Sadhvi Ritambhara credited Lord Ram for giving them the courage to fight for the temple. She acknowledged the role of the Hindu community’s unwavering determination and sacrifices made along the way. She emphasized that the struggle lasting over 500 years had finally resulted in the establishment of the Ram temple, symbolizing the resurgence of Hindu pride.
The Ram Tirtha Trust extended invitations not only to the campaigners but also to the families of those who lost their lives during the movement. Among them were the bereaved Kothari brothers, who tragically fell victim to police bullets in Ayodhya on November 2, 1990, during Mulayam Singh Yadav’s term as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The momentous occasion was a culmination of decades of dedication, determination, and sacrifice on the part of the temple warriors. Their tireless efforts and unwavering faith in Lord Ram have finally manifested in the construction of the long-awaited Ram temple in Ayodhya. The consecration ceremony brought tears of joy, not only to the temple warriors but also to millions of devotees around the world who share in their triumph.
