‘This development would pave the way for national unity, harmony’
Leaders cutting across party lines welcomed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday, hoping the development would pave the way for national unity and harmony. Many of them used the occasion to send a subtle political message against the politics of hate and injustice.
While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values and can never appear in cruelty, hatred or injustice, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said all religions of this great country are brothers.
BSP supremo Mayawati credited the Supreme Court for paving the way for its construction in Ayodhya and advised all to accept the decision.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav hoped the present and future generations will sincerely follow the path shown by ‘Maryada Purushottam’ and will do good to all and bring peace.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said it’s a matter of joy, but he also questioned the timing of Bhoomi Pujan when the country is struggling with so many ailments and battles on front.
After refraining from commenting on the Ram temple issue, the Congress’ top leaders came forward with their messages by extending best wishes to people on the Bhoomi Poojan function.
“Simplicity, courage, restraint, sacrifice, commitment, are the essence of the name Deenbandhu Lord Rama. Ram is in everyone, Ram is with everyone. With the message and blessings of Lord Ram and Mother Sita, the Bhoomi Pujan of Ramlalla’s temple became an occasion for national unity, fraternity and cultural congregation,” she tweeted.
Rahul in a tweet in Hindi, said, “Maryada Purshottam Lord Ram is the ultimate embodiment of supreme human values. He is the core of humanism embedded deep in our hearts. Ram is love, he can never appear in hatred. Ram is compassion, he can never appear in cruelty. Ram is justice, he can never appear in injustice,” he said.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “We hope the ideals of sacrifice, duty, compassion, generosity, unity, fraternity, harmony and courtesy preached by Lord Ram will become the guiding force for the country.”
“Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaai, Aapas mein hain Bhai Bhai! Mera Bharat Mahaan, Mahaan Hamara Hindustan. Our country has always upheld the age-old legacy of unity in diversity, and we must preserve this to our last breath,” said Banerjee.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too sent his best wishes to fellow citizens on the Bhoomi Pujan of the Ram temple.
Another Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said Lord Ram epitomises justice for all, righteous conduct, fairness and firmness in all dealings, moral rectitude and courage. “These values are much needed in such dark times. If they spread throughout the land, Ram Rajya would not be an occasion for triumphalist bigotry. JaiShriRam,” he tweeted.
Mayawati said as everyone knows, Ayodhya is a holy city of different religions, but it had been embroiled in a controversy for years due to Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid land dispute. “The dispute was ended by the Supreme Court and it has also stopped to some extent politics around it played by some political parties,” Mayawati said in a series of tweets in Hindi.
“Due to the SC verdict, foundation of Ram temple is being laid and a lot of its credit goes to the SC. The BSP from the beginning said that it would accept the SC decision. It should be accepted by all. This is advice of the BSP,” she added.