B L Saraf
To the delight of billions of devotees of Shri Ram the momentous day has arrived . Construction of Ram Mandir is, finally, underway . 5th August 2020 will go down in the annals as the day which billions of followers of Hindu faith, spread across the globe , were eagerly in wait of – to have a soothing balm applied to their bruised belief. Bruises inflicted five centuries ago! The day, indeed, marks triumph of faith over fanaticism. Nonetheless, it has come at a price and entailed a long and tortuous political and legal battle which, unfortunately, consumed many precious lives.
Story of Shri Ram is engrained in our culture and ethos. History of ancient India and Hinduism means the story of Shri Ram and His life . His spiritual appeal transcends borders and beliefs . No wonder , poet philosopher, Iqbal called Shri Ram “Imaam-e Hind – on Whose existence whole country takes pride.” So, while celebrating the occasion it must be in mind that there are no victors and no vanquished in the game. It is a win – win situation for all those who bear true faith to the Oneness of Almighty.
PM Narendra Modi may participate in Bhumi Pujan and stone laying ceremony for the construction of temple, in Ayodhya. ‘Liberals ‘ are up in arms. To them it goes against the principle of secularism. Whether PM makes it to the spot or not the objection raised by the ‘ liberals’ must , nonetheless , be answered . On merits , much can be said in refutation of the argument. However, the libertarians will only understand when they see how matters of faith are taken up by the rulers in ‘secular’ West and other parts of the globe.
Two years back , fire damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris’s iconic religious monument . France and whole Christian world went in grief. President ,Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the cathedral as , according to him , “it was the epicenter of our life … it is part of us .” France’s richest came forward to build the religious place to its pristine glory. Businessman Francois-Henri Pinault said , “this tragedy impacts all French people. And everyone wants to restore life as quickly as possible to this jewel of our life.” Another businessman, Bernard Arnault pledged 200 million Euros to rebuilt the monument .
Victor Hugo said about the cathedral ” When a man understands the art of seeing , he can trace spirit of an age and the features of king even at the knocker at the door .”
Notre Dame Cathedral provides an analogy appropriate to the occasion. As it comes from Paris, Mecca of the liberal , progressive and emancipated world, analogy may calm the ‘disturbed minds’ of our hyper – secularists. Reference becomes unavoidable when we have been crying to reclaim Ram janambhumi – which undoubtedly is a “part of us.” France, after tragic loss suffered by the cathedral – has shown a mirror to those in our country who suffer from ‘ over profusion of secularism ‘ that it is matter of great honor to reclaim “epicenters of our life ” and those marks of civilization which define” our soul .”
It was really a painful ordeal to prove in the courts that Shri Ram lived on planet earth. How tragic that those who wanted proof of Presence of Shri Ram failed to read Victor Hugo? Sages, who had mastered “the art of seeing “- which Hugo wanted disciples to develop – traced the birth spot of the Maryadah Purish after “seeing features on the knockers at the doors ” of Ayodhya Nagri. It is the travesty that some revel in demanding ‘proof ‘ of existence of our ‘spiritual ‘ epicenters.’
French businessman Henri Pinault said on the aftermath of cathedral fire “the tragedy impacts us all French people.” When the die is cast , all Indians must summon courage and utter words in favor of the reclaimed Ram Janam Bhumi , as the French businessman said on fire of the cathedral – that everyone wants ” to restore life as quickly possible to this jewel of our heritage .”
India is founded on pluralistic values. However, the country would settle as true secular nation when the “seculars fundamentalist ” and the “hyper -nationalists ” will care to understand true value of our nation and stop serving as purveyors of the so called liberal or a divisive spin. It won’t pay if people are systematically instigated to hate their heritage and disown one national identity’ – which we have , of course, with due regard for the sub- ethnic sensitivities. A balance has to be maintained.The hyper – nationalists must know that a tilt will destroy the social equilibrium, to the detriment of all.
When nation feels proud today a thought must be spared for Temples and Shrines of Hindus in Kashmir which tell a very sad tale . Vandalized and usurped by our own, they are crying for an attention. PM Modi reposed faith in the Court to proceed with the Shilanyas ceremony. We trust he will act on instructions of Supreme Court passed in the matter of Lord Jagannath Temple Puri, to ensure protection of “the sanctity and ethos ” of highly revered religious places . The Court was dealing with the allegations of mismanagement of offerings made to the Temple and lack of proper facilities. The directions issued have far-reaching consequences and apply, uniformly , to all religious places in the country.
Apex Court put the matter in a Constitutional matrix and observed “The issues raised involve enforcement of fundamental right under Article 25 and Directive Principles under Article 38 , 49 and 51 A ( f ) and ( g ) of the Constitution of India and other rights .” Further , it said : “There is no doubt that proper management of pilgrimage centers of great importance is a matter of public interest. These centers are of undoubted religious , social historical and architectural importance , representing cultural heritage of our country …” Court felt that these issues may be common to various other shrines in the country, so Union Of India was directed to constitute a committee to collect information with regard to such other shrines so that the management practices therein can be reviewed .
There is a well documented record to show that temples and shrines in Kashmir are mismanaged and their properties are being misappropriated by the so-called trustees and managers. Government has acknowledged these charges , so it introduced Bill no 11/2009 in the Assembly which for the reasons well known couldn’t translate into the law. Its aims and objects brought out the nub : “Due to the disturbed conditions in the Kashmir Valley in year 1990, the majority of Hindus left the Valley and the Shrines remained unattended. There are complaints that properties of these Shrines have been encroached and most of them are in dilapidated conditions.”
We trust PM Modi will take cognizance of the issues raised by the Apex Court so far as they relate to the management of religious places in Kashmir and protect their ” sanctity and ethos”. Kashmiri Hindus have been demanding so . Transparent and accountable management of these religious places should be guaranteed by a statute – on the lines of Wakf Board and Gurdwara Prabandak Committee Act. Such a law will, surely, constitute a big CBM and facilitate return of the displaced to their home .
(The author is Former Principal District and Sessions Judge)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel