14th January 2025
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls for Celebrating Ram Temple Consecration as โPratishtha Dwadashi,โ Marks โTrue Independenceโ of Bharat
Consecration of the Ram Temple marked Indiaโs โtrue independenceโ
In a thought-provoking address in Indore on Monday (13th January), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasized the significance of the Ram Temple consecration date in Ayodhya, urging it to be celebrated as โPratishtha Dwadashi,โ symbolizing Bharatโs โtrue independenceโ after centuries of foreign invasions.
Speaking at a ceremony where he presented the prestigious โNational Devi Ahilya Awardโ to Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Bhagwat reflected on the spiritual, cultural, and historical importance of the Ram Mandir movement. He stated that the movement wasnโt launched in opposition to anyone but to revive the countryโs โselfโ or โswa,โ enabling Bharat to reclaim its identity and role as a guiding force for the world.
“True Independence” Beyond 1947
Bhagwat remarked that while India achieved political independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, the vision of a nation rooted in its own cultural and spiritual ethos was yet to be realized. He pointed out that the Indian Constitution was framed in alignment with the nationโs self-vision, yet it wasnโt fully implemented in that spirit.
The consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024โmarked on the Hindu calendar as Paush Shukla Paksha Dwadashiโrepresents, in his view, the culmination of a centuries-long struggle to reestablish Bharatโs cultural self-respect and independence after enduring repeated invasions that sought to destroy its spiritual foundations.
Ram Temple: A Symbol of Unity and Revival
Addressing the audience, Bhagwat highlighted that the Ram Mandir movement was not merely about the construction of a temple but an awakening of national pride and unity. “During the temple consecration ceremony, the entire country participated with pure hearts, without any discord,” he noted. Bhagwat also underscored that the ideals represented by Lord Ram, Krishna, and Shiva are deeply ingrained in the essence of India, transcending religious boundaries.
He criticized historical invasions that targeted temples as an attempt to erode the cultural and spiritual core of Bharat. According to Bhagwat, the Ram Mandir movement succeeded despite opposition because it was a fight to uphold this core. โThe movement was about awakening the โselfโ of Bharat,โ he said, adding that economic and social progress must be rooted in cultural and spiritual revival.
Economic Progress and Cultural Identity
Recalling conversations from the 1980s, Bhagwat addressed skepticism about prioritizing the Ram Mandir over livelihood concerns. โI used to ask, despite slogans like โGaribi Hataoโ (eradicate poverty), where was India in the 1980s compared to nations like Israel and Japan? Indiaโs path to prosperity lies through the doorway of the Ram Temple,โ he asserted.
Champat Rai, receiving the award, dedicated it to the countless known and unknown contributors of the Ram Mandir movement. Describing the temple as a symbol of national pride, Rai expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play a role in its construction.
National Devi Ahilya Award and Memorial Announcement
The award ceremony, organized by the Indore-based Shri Ahilyotsav Samiti, recognized Rai for his contributions to the Ram Mandir movement. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, president of the organization, announced plans to build a grand memorial in honor of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, celebrating her legacy as an iconic ruler who upheld dharma and justice.
A Secular Tradition Rooted in Spirituality
Reflecting on a past meeting with former President Pranab Mukherjee, Bhagwat shared Mukherjeeโs assertion that Indiaโs Constitution is one of the most secular in the world, rooted in a 5,000-year-old tradition of inclusivity. Bhagwat linked this tradition to the teachings of Lord Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, emphasizing that their values form the foundation of Bharatโs identity and should guide its future.
A Call for National Celebration
As the nation moves toward the second anniversary of the Ram Temple consecration, Bhagwatโs call to commemorate it as “Pratishtha Dwadashi” resonates as an appeal for a renewed sense of national pride and cultural unity. With the temple standing as a testament to Bharatโs resilience and self-determination, the RSS chiefโs message seeks to inspire a collective celebration of the countryโs heritage and values.