Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses after the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Mandir, in Ayodhya.
Credit: PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sought forgiveness from Lord Ram for being in the tent for ages and said he would no longer remain in the tent even as he thanked the judiciary for delivering ‘justice’.
Mentioning in his speech after consecrating the Ram Lalla idol that Ram was in the first copy of the Constitution of the country, Modi said January 22 signified a new dawn in the country.
Modi’s remarks seeking forgiveness from Lord Ram was being perceived as an attempt to corner the Congress by hinting that the grand old party tried to create obstacles in the way of construction of the Ram Temple.
‘’I seek forgiveness from Prabhu Shri Ram....there must have been some shortcomings in our efforts, sacrifice and penance that we could not do so (construction of Ram Temple) for ages,’’ the PM said, adding he felt choked and emotional on this occasion and that his body was shaking.
‘’Despite being in the first copy of the Constitution, Lord Rama had to fight a long battle for his place,’’ he remarked.
Modi also thanked the judiciary for what he said was delivering justice in the matter. The Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the Hindu plaintiffs and gave them the Ram Janmabhoomi while directing the state government to allot five acres of land away from Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.
‘’The sun on January 22 has brought with it a new shining light....it is not merely a date, it is emergence of a new era...we have got heritage which is a symbol of patience for ages....a country creates new history in this way breaking the shackles of slavery,’’ the prime minister said.
He said people would talk about this moment after a thousand years. ‘’It is not merely a temple....it is a temple of India’s vision and philosophy.....it is a temple nation’s awakening in the form of Lord Ram,’’ Modi said.
‘’Ram is India’s faith....he is the very basis of India, our thought, prestige...Ram is everything....he all encompassing...he is world...when Ram is given his due place then his impact is not for years but for centuries....now Ayodhya wants to know....Ram Temple has been constructed...what next?’’ he said.
Modi, who spoke for about 35 minutes, later went toward the guests’ gallery and met megastar Amitabh Bachchan, industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife. The seers were seen clicking pictures of Modi on this occasion.
The prime minister later visited the Shiva Temple at Kuber Tila and paid obeisance there. He also showered flower petals on the workers involved in the construction of the Ram Temple.