Dear Hindus, Does the Central Govt. or PM deserve any credit associated with Lord Ram or his Mandir? Let us examine

The BJP had promised in its manifesto along with the major ones which were proving to be a big hurdle to the identity crisis of the Hindus.

Right from 2014 for almost 6 years the country is being ruled by the Narendra Modi led BJP government. For the first time in the history of Independent India, the country witnessed a back to back non-Congress government. with the full majority for a single party in the 2019 elections. It is not just in Center that the BJP has been victorious but also in several major state assemblies. There was a point in the last 5 years where almost 21 states were directly or indirectly ruled by the BJP.

The previous Congress-led UPA govt was completely routed in 2014 elections due to 3 major factors

1. Reckless corruption involving Union Ministers
2. Serious compromise on National Security
3. Minority appeasement

Sensing the opportunity, The BJP campaigned with a 3 pronged strategy i.e. Promise on Anti-Corruption (clean governance), Nationalism & Hindutva, and Development to convince the voters. All these coupled with the persona of Narendra Modi in the so-called Gujarat Development Model propelled the BJP as the alternative to Congress. They went with the slogan “Sab ka saat sab ka Vikas”[1]. The result paid off with a victory for the BJP with 280 seats in the Loksabha out of the total 543.

There were just 2 major things which needed govt interference with respect to Lord Rama, First one is Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and the second one is the declaration of Rama Setu as National Heritage Monument.

The major reason for this victory for the Narendra Modi led BJP govt was the emergence of a Hindu vote block. An overwhelming majority of Hindus shred their caste, language, and regional barriers and voted in one block for the BJP. This undivided Hindu block spanned all age groups. With 31% of the vote share they were able to pull off a slender but an Independent majority on their own. This was first of its kind in the history of BJP at the Center. It was the same Hindu vote block which gave for another thumping victory in 2019 Loksabha elections too. The BJP single-handedly was able to get 303 seats out of the total 543.

However, in the last 6 years of Narendra Modi led BJP govt. this Hindu vote bank seems disgruntled despite showing great enthusiasm in 2 elections. They wanted the govt to fulfill the public sentiment associated with the Hindus which the BJP had promised in its manifesto along with the major ones which were proving to be a big hurdle to the identity crisis of the Hindus. Examining what are those we see that there are several issues that remain totally untouched despite 6 years of ‘their’ govt. The most-unkindest cut of all were those things related to Lord Ram. There were just 2 major things which needed govt interference with respect to Lord Rama, First one is Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and the second one is the declaration of Rama Setu as National Heritage Monument.

First, The Ram Mandir issue:

The BJP in its 2014 manifesto promised to “explore all legal and constitutional methods to facilitate the construction of Ram Mandir “[2]. This is exactly what they did in the first 5 years, they kept on exploring with no conclusions. They did not even get the matter listed for hearing in the Supreme Court even after the Allahabad High court had delivered the verdict in 2010. From 2011 till 2016 the case files did not move an inch. However, Lord Ram had other plans, the case got listed in Supreme Court after a Writ Petition (A Fundamental Right to Worship) was filed by Dr. Subramanian Swamy in 2016 seeking basic amenities at the site for all the pilgrims[3]. It was after this intervention that the case gained some steam.

Dr. Swamy’s work did not just stop with this, he made a statement in Rajya Sabha and called for a Day to day hearing and also appealed to the Prime Minister to direct his Law officers to support his prayer in the Supreme Court asking for a daily hearing[4][5]. From 2017 to 2019 August, there was no response and the same status quo was maintained, meanwhile, Congress lawyers filed a review petition against an old judgment delivered in 1995 i.e. Ismail Farooqi vs Union Of India where the Supreme Court stated that Masjid is not an essential structure of Islam.

The ASI had clearly said that there was a pre-existing temple and the ASI report was filed by none other than a Muslim K.K Mohammad.

This was a delay tactic by Congress so that this Ram Janmabhoomi dispute gets dragged further. Had the verdict been reversed it would have been a dicey task for the courts to decide between 2 Religious structures. However, that appeal backfired and the court dismissed the petition[6]. It was then in Aug 2019 that the Supreme Court decided to hear the Writ Petition of Dr. Swamy[7], and also a day to day hearing in that matter[8]. Finally, it concluded on a successful note where the Supreme Court judges unanimously gave a 5-0 verdict in favor of the Hindus thus paving way for Ram Mandir.

We must note here that there were plenty of options with the BJP govt to expedite the matter from 2014 itself, first one would have been through the route of an ordinance under Article 123 where they could bypass the Supreme Court and bring in a Ram Janmabhoomi Act to start the construction of a grand temple. Second, was using Article 300A, Under 300A, the govt. can nationalize any land under its territory which includes the Ram Janmabhoomi. Furthermore, it could have even handed it over it to the Hindus as per the 1994 affidavit filed by the then PV Narasimha Rao govt. The 1994 affidavit stated that if the govt. finds that there was a pre-existing structure then would hand it over to the Hindus.[9]

The BJP govt did neither of it, in fact, they too botched up the case when they went to Supreme Court and asked for its direction on what to do with the 67 Acres of land surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi while it had an option to exercise its action under the 1994 affidavit that they filed. The ASI had clearly said that there was a pre-existing temple and the ASI report was filed by none other than a Muslim K.K Mohammad.

Throughout the course of the case, it was just Dr. Swamy who was relentlessly pursuing it. It was purely his extraordinary efforts to get it listed (through his wife Dr. Roxna Swamy who is a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court). In my view even his legal team deserves applause.

The best evidence that one can throw at anyone’s face is the tweets of Dr. Swamy’s course of action in contrast with PM Modi on Ram Mandir/Ram Janmabhoomi. In the past 10 years, there has been just 2 tweets from PM Modi (one in 2010 and the other before the verdict was being delivered). That was all the interest that was shown by PM for Ram[10]. The sad part however is that BJP & the PM did not even once thank Dr. Swamy for his relentless effort, but conveniently or rather shamelessly snatched credits stating that “BJP got the Mandir built” in the Jharkhand state election campaign! Even after invoking Ram Mandir, the BJP had to bite the dust, maybe this was Lord Ram’s way of showing displeasure and punishing the PM.

Below are the snapshots from twitter with regards to this issue by Dr. Swamy:-

The below ones are the only 2 tweets that one could retrieve from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the same.

The PM has not done anything with respect to this issue but went on to the public and stated that Ram Mandir was possible because of BJP govt. There can’t be anything much shameful than this.

Second, the Rama Setu Issue:

Just like the 2014 manifesto of BJP on Ram Mandir, Ram Setu also found a spot with a comment stating that “it was part of Cultural Heritage and Strategic importance.” The description was totally vague and misguiding on what the objectives are with Ram Setu.[2]

To give a brief overview, in 1999, The NDA govt led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee went ahead with the Sethu Samuthiram Shipping canal project (SSCP). The project was basically to allow large ships to come through a short route to the Tuticorin Port along the Eastern coast of India rather than sailing over Srilanka. From 1956 the project was being planned. Although several routes were planned, none of them had done a feasibility study on which route would be the best. However, the govt took an arbitrary decision to cut through the Ram Setu despite knowing that there was a cultural and religious significance associated with that place.

It was at this time that the then Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Ashok Singhal approached the then Janata Party President (now with BJP), Dr. Subramanian Swamy, to come to the rescue of this monument.

The approval to demolish a National monument was given by three ministers in charge during that govt. The NDA ministers involved were Arun Jaitely, Shatrughan Sinha, and VP Goel[11]. Many felt that this approval to demolish a Hindu monument by BJP was surprising but the inside story was that it was approved just to please the DMK which was part of the coalition. Although the approvals and sanctions were provided by the NDA shipping ministers from BJP, the real work started only during the UPA I period i.e. from 2004-2009. It was in 2005 that the Congress-led UPA govt. decided to go full throttle on that project.

The UPA Congress and DMK were hell-bent on destroying the ancient monument. The Sethu Samuthiram Shipping Canal project was in full swing in 2007 and dredgers were already brought it and ready to be deployed. The proposed shipping canal was decided to cut through limestone shoals called then as “Adams Bridge” (i.e. Ram Setu).

Looking at the developments, the BJP which was in opposition was up in arms but it was all ‘jaw-jaw’ and it took no concrete action, they protested in Parliament and asked the govt to drop the project only to be thoroughly exposed by the ruling Congress.

In an embarrassment to the BJP, the then Shipping Minister TR Baalu told in the house of Parliament that the approval was given by NDA I with the approval of Arun Jaitely of BJP (Arun Jaitely was MoS Shipping during Vajpayee govt)[12]. It however did not end well with Congress or DMK either. Union Minister Ambika Soni called Rama Setu as a “Mythical structure” and DMK Chief Karunanidhi went one step further and said “Who is this Raman? In which engineering college did he study and become a civil engineer? When did he build this so-called bridge? Is there any evidence for this?”[13]. The statements made by several Ministers post that were all hurting the Hindu sentiments.

Meanwhile, the BJP, the so-called ‘Hindu’ Party which claims to represent the Hindus stood like a mute spectator. They did not do anything concrete.

All these said On Aug 29, 2007, 2 dredgers were brought to the coast of Rameshwaram along with Dynamite and RDX to blow a section of the Rama Setu. It was at this time that the then Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) President Ashok Singhal approached the then Janata Party President (now with BJP), Dr. Subramanian Swamy, to come to the rescue of this monument. It was at his behest that Dr. Swamy went to the Supreme Court with a Writ Petition (a Fundamental rights petition) to get a stay on the matter.

Some of the best conversations happened in the court and here is a snippet

Dr. Swamy: “It is my fundamental right to the faith which believes that Ram Setu was there and therefore it should not be touched.”

Judge: “Mr. Swamy, Do you go to Ram Setu every day to Pray?”

Dr. Swamy: “Sir, We also worship the Sun, do we go to the Sun every day?”

With his convincing arguments, Dr. Swamy pulled off a last-minute victory and the court gave a stay order stating explicitly that “Adam’s bridge/Rama Setu shall not be damaged in any manner.“[14]

It was a one-man Janata Party President Dr.Subramanian Swamy who came to the rescue of Rama Setu and BJP was nowhere to be seen.

Post this a committee was constituted in 2008 headed by RK Pachauri to study the feasibility of the SSCP and in 2012 the RK Pachauri Committee submitted its report explicitly stating that the “SSCP is both unviable, both from economic as well as ecological angles.”[15]

In the meanwhile, Dr. Swamy also pitched in the Supreme Court in 2008 to declare Ram Setu as a National Heritage Monument. The Supreme Court asked for the stand of the govt on this regard and till today, The govt (both the UPA as well as the Modi led NDA govt) has not said, Yes or No or be ‘Neutral’! The only update from the BJP Govt was that it told the Supreme Court in 2014 that the SSCP has been scrapped but the question on declaring the Ram Setu as National Heritage Monument is still pending!

In 2014 the Union Shipping Minister gave a statement in the Loksabha that the Ram Setu will not be touched. So ideally, if the shipping canal project is scrapped and the assurance by the minister is given the parliament then it should convince the govt that the Ram Setu is a fit case to be declared as National Heritage Monument. Even the Culture Ministry gave a go-ahead for declaring the Ram Setu as National Heritage Monument and it is pending for over 3.5 years to get just a “SIGNATURE” from the Prime Minister. What is stopping the PM from Declaring it for 3.5 years is a question that all Hindus need to ask their poster boy of the so-called “Hindu” Party.

Just as in the case of Ram Mandir, PM Modi has not once openly told that he supports Ram Setu. We are unable to find a single tweet from his side.

Below are the search results for PM Narendra Modi Tweets on Ram Setu:-

Whereas this is the case for Dr. Swamy

In conclusion, We observe that in both cases, it was a continuous and continuing struggle for Lord Ram only by one man who has selflessly pursued it for the cause of Hindus without being in power. At the same time, we can say that the only thing that BJP is affiliated with, with respect to Ram is their ‘Ramayan Serial‘.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

References:

[1] Sabka Saath, SabkaVikas : Collective Efforts Inclusive Growth – May 09, 2014, Narendra Modi.in

[2] BJP Election Manifesto 2014 – Narendra Modi.in

[3] Ram Janma Bhoomi: Provide all facilities to Ayodhya pilgrims, says SC – Aug 8, 2015, TOI

[4] Subramanian Swamy seeks daily hearing in SC over Ayodhya issue – Aug 8, 2016, Business Standard

[5] Ram, Ram! Subramanian Swamy writes to Modi, wants daily hearings in Ram Janmabhoomi case – Jan 12, 2016, First Post

[6] Supreme Court’s decision in Ismail Farooqi case, “Namaz in the mosque is not part of Islam” – Sep 27, 2015, Daily Hunt

[7] Subramanian Swamy moves SC for urgent listing of plea seeking right to pray at Ayodhya – Feb 25, 2019, The Hindu

[8] Ayodhya Case: SC to conduct day to day hearing of land dispute from Aug 6 – Aug 2, 2019, Business Today

[9] Narasimha Rao Government’s affidavit to Supreme Court in 1994 turns out to be crucial in Ayodhya case – Dec 27, 2018, PGurus,com

[10] Narendra Modi Tweet – Sep 30, 2010, Twitter

[11] Advani lists 3 ‘destabilisers’1. Sonia 2. Left 3. DMK – Sep 23, 2007, Tribune India

[12] NDA’s Project: Ask Jaitley, Joshi… – Oct 01, 2007, Outlook

[13] Where is proof Ram built bridge, asks Karunanidhi – Sep 16, 2007, The Indian Express

[14] Ram Setu would have been destroyed 10 years back, but one man saved this heritage site! – Dec 15, 2017, Postcard News

[15] Centre junks Pachauri report, will go ahead with Setusamudram project – Feb 23, 2013, India Today