Shri Arun Kumar was speaking at the book launch 'Sabke Ram' in Delhi on Sunday (December 12). He also said the Shri Ram Temple movement shattered many myths about Hindu society.
The Shri Ram Temple movement was driven by conviction and commitment, and it was not reactionary, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sah Sarkaryawah Arun Kumar.
He said the movement succeeded because of the "purity in its objective" and "strong will, commitment and determination of those who guided it.
Shri Arun Kumar was speaking at the launch of the book "Sabke Ram, " which is based on the volunteers' experience who participated in the Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan for the Shri Ram Temple Ayodhya. The event was held at the Constitution Club in Delhi on Sunday (December 12).
Shri Ram Temple movement was a moment of self-realisation for the Hindu Society, said Shri Arun Kumar. He said, "When Swami Vivekanandji was asked what was the root of all our problems. He replied we have forgotten who we are. 'Atma-vismriti' is our main problem. Shri Ram Temple movement was a moment of self-realisation for the Hindu society."
Indians struggled for about 500 years for Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The struggle for the temple in Ayodhya started when invader Babur demolished it in the 16th century.
"The movement for Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya did not start after independence. It was going on for 490 years. Since 1983 onwards, the VHP got involved for jan jagran," said Dr. Surendra Jain, VHP Joint Secretary.
After the country got independence in 1947 and the Constitution was adopted in 1950, the Hindu society had the belief that now there would be a grand Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. But nothing happened for 33 years, Since 1983, the sentiment was revived with the VHP meeting in Muzaffarnagar and subsequent Dharma Sansad. In 1992, the Kar Sevaks demolished the Babri mosque in Ayodhya.
"For 33 years, the Hindu society kept patience, thinking there is rule of law and justice in this country and that they will get justice. In 1992, when the Hindu society felt that they are being deceived through the legal process, it woke up," Shri Kumar said. He further added the incident of 1992 established the sentiments of the Hindu society can not be ignored in this country.
Many myths were spread about the Hindu society that it can never unite, it is weak & coward and also the new generation doesn't understand its glory. Shri Ram Temple movement shattered all these myths.
"It was a common myth that the Hindu society cannot come together and become one because of various castes, languages, regions, small groups and their respective differences. Another myth was that the Hindu society cannot join a struggle because it is coward. And the third myth was that its glory was lost with the influence of western education and values on new generation the past 20-25 years. This movement shattered all three myths", Shri Kumar said.
There were times when people thought the movement had died, but in reality, it was always alive. It was very clear that effort would be made to ensure everyone participated in this noble cause from day one.
A landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in November 2019 paved the way for constructing a grand Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya.
In January this year, the VHP launched a Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan to collect funds to construct a grand Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
In the six-week-long campaign, over 6000 crores were collected. Shri Kumar said, "Like the Shilanyas in 1989, the Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan also started from a Valmiki Mandir in Delhi. And more than three-fourths of the contributors are those who contributed less than 10000 rupees."
Out of six lakh villages in the country, more than 5,34,000 were covered.
Shri Kumar reminded that the journey is not complete yet as the task of nation-building remains. "Shri Ram should guide us to strive for a society where there is equality and prosperity. In next years, our task is to build a prosperous India", he said.
Dr. Jain said, "What we got in 1947 was incomplete independence. It was only political independence. Cultural Independence still remains to be achieved. The road to cultural independence will pass through Ram Path and not Raj Path."
Even after independence, many forces have been trying to hurt India and divide the country. Exposing the vested interests, Shri Kumar said we never had any doubt that this Nation is driven by the idea of 'One Nation, One People, One Culture'.
The difference of religion, language and geography can not divide people. He further emphasised that language, religion, geography etc. is just one element of our identity.
When the country celebrates the centenary of its Independence, India should emerge as a leading light for the world.
Shri Kumar said, "We have to work to ensure our institutions are empowered and do the needful to contribute in making India a global power, driven by our culture and Constitution."
