RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's 'true independence' remark sparks row
Mohan Bhagwat's remarks faced criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who said that Ram Lalla was not brought by the RSS.
In Short
- Bhagwat says consecration day should be celebrated as Pratishtha Dwadashi
- Says Ram temple movement was not started to oppose anyone
- Ayodhya Ram temple consecration completed one year on January 11
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that India achieved "true independence" on the consecration day of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, inviting criticism from the Shiv Sena (UBT). Speaking at an event in Indore, Bhagwat said the consecration day should be celebrated as "Pratishtha Dwadashi", symbolising the establishment of India's sovereignty after centuries of "parachakra" (foreign invasion).
The mega consecration or 'pran pratistha' event of Ram Lalla's idol in Ayodhya was conducted on January 22, 2024, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first anniversary of the event was observed on January 11 this year, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
Bhagwat, who recently grabbed headlines for calling the rise in temple-mosque disputes "unfortunate", said the Ram temple movement was started not to oppose anyone but to awaken Bharat's "self".
"After India got political independence from the British on August 15, 1947, a written Constitution was made... but the document was not run according to the spirit of the vision at that time," Mohan Bhagwat said.
"The true independence of India, which had faced many centuries of persecution, was established on that day (the day of Ram Temple's 'pran pratishtha')," the RSS chief further said.
Responding to his remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said neither Bhagwat had written the Constitution, nor the RSS brought Ram Lalla.
"Ram Lalla was not brought by the RSS... (Mohan) Bhagwat has not written the Constitution. What he is saying is wrong. Ram Lalla has been here for thousands of years. We have fought for him, but there should not be any politics over this," Raut said.
Last month, the RSS chief said that following the construction of the Ram Temple, some individuals were under the impression that they could become "leaders of Hindus" by raking up temple-mosque disputes.
"Every day a new matter (dispute) is being raked up. How can this be allowed? This cannot continue. India needs to show that we can live together," he said.