Remembering Balasaheb Deoras’ role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement on his birth anniversary

Balasaheb Deoras, the third Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for the historic Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The roots of this movement can be traced back to a momentous winter camp in 1983, held in Allahabad, where Deoras, foreseeing the need for a concerted effort, planted the seeds of a movement that would eventually culminate in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

During the camp, news reached Deoras about the locks placed on the doors of the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. This revelation prompted him to inquire about the duration of the locks. It was at this critical juncture that the decision was made to spread the message that the birthplace of Lord Rama had been unjustly restrained.

Deoras, understanding the significance of this mission, emphasised the irreversibility of such an undertaking, urging the participants to boost the pride of the Hindu society.

Deoras’ foresight and strategic thinking were evident as he guided the formulation of a plan to inform people across the nation, reaching every village with the message that the sacred birthplace of Lord Rama was under lock and key. This led to the organisation of a Rath Yatra, a pivotal step that would mobilise support and galvanise the movement for the liberation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.

The journey embarked upon by the RSS, under the leadership of Balasaheb Deoras, became a 30-year-long struggle that finally bore fruit with the Bhoomi Pujan for the Ram Mandir.

On the birth anniversary of Balasaheb Deoras, the nation commemorates not only a visionary leader but also a driving force behind one of the most significant chapters in the history of modern India – the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Here is a statement issues by him on the occasion of the completion of the Shilanyas ceremony at Ayodhya –

‘Ram, our National Hero’

I recall with reverence the great sacrifices made by lakhs of Hindus over centuries to redeem the Ramjanmasthan and re-establish the temple of the greatest hero of this country-Bhagwan Shri Ram. The Shilanyas on November 10, 1989 is the result, and the continuation, of the struggle of the Hindus over the centuries. Even though we attained political independence in 1947, we are still in the process of securing cultural and ideological independence. The restoration of Ram Janmasthan is just like the reconstruction of the great Somnath Temple. Great nationalists like Babu Rajendra Prasad and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, giants as compared to the present day national leadership, clearly perceived the decisive importance of such national symbols in the full flowering of the swaraj. Accordingly they encouraged and associated in their restoration. When Gandhiji envisioned our freedom, he dreamt and defined the swaraj as ‘Ram Rajya’. His whole life was inspired by Shri Ram. No one could say his approach was narrow or communal. Everyone accepted that the Mahatma was expressing the spirit of the nation.

And yet today those who invoke the Mahatma’s name day-in and day-out were the very ones who stood in the forefront along with pseudo-secularists who obstruct the shilanyas programme.

In any other county, the government in power would have encouraged and participated in such a national reconstruction programme as a memorial for a national hero like Sri Ram. In contrast, those in power in our country have, on petty electoral considerations, persistently sought to impede the Shilanyas programme at Ayodhya. But, fortunately, those ill-advised measures failed as they were bound to.

The nationalists, particularly the Ram Janmbhoomi Mukti Yajna Samiti, backed by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and with the blessings of Yogiraj Devarva Baba, showed remarkable determination in not yielding to the motivated pressure exerted on them by the Government and others. In fact it was the participation of crores of Hindus, in lakhs in places all over the country along with the active participation of thousands of revered saints and Mahants when the Ramashilapujan took place, which created such tremendous pressure that the government was made to see reason and had to bow before the will of the people. The best wishes and prayers of all nationalist elements are behind the Samiti in this great national reconstruction work. I wish the Samiti all success in their endeavours to construct the temple of the National Hero who signifies the unity and integrity of this country.