Author: Tarun Vijay
Publication: India Today
Date: March 25, 2002
The temple reflects our vision of
a prosperous and proud Bharat, which sheltered all those driven out by
fanatics of the world. Like the Statue of Liberty.
In the Ramayana, the chapter on
Ayodhya gives a majestic description of Ram Rajya, where peace, prosperity
and tranquillity reigned, for there was no one to challenge the seat of
Ayodhya, literally the land without wars. Ironically, Ayodhya is now associated
with struggle, anger and challenges abound. The Supreme Court, whose supremacy
we saw being challenged amidst full media glare with the payment of a token
fine of Rs 2,000, has stopped a puja and pilgrims are banned from entering
the birthplace of Ram. So much hate has been heaped on the Ayodhya movement
in the media that the real issue has got totally drowned. The Marxist-Mullah
combine has used the media in a manner that a Hindu would feel ashamed
at the mention of Ayodhya and would say, how does it matter to me if no
temple is built there. Please maintain peace!
A typical Hindu reaction. How does
it matter if the nation is partitioned and Pakistan created amidst an unparalleled
massacre of Hindus, if that brings peace? How does it matter if a few terrorists
are released to bring air passengers home safe? How does it matter if Agra
is decorated and we get a little romantic with the villain of Kargil? And
how does it matter if we lie low and let peace prevail ... after December
13 ... and after February 27?
Now, if a large section of Hindus
decide that it really matters to say no to humiliation, they are the hoodlums
of Hindu society, known for its "tolerance". The message is: as long as
you continue to accept humiliation, you are a good secular Hindu. But the
moment you stand up for your dignity and faith, you are bad.
Defending Ayodhya is like defending
Bharat. Bruised, humiliated and condemned, we stand just for underlining
what we are and what we have been. The temple is a symbol of a civilisation
waking up. It stands for our vision of a glorified, prosperous and proud
Bharat, which sheltered all those driven out by fanatical rulers the world
over. Like the Statue of Liberty. It's like unfurling the tricolour over
the regained Tiger Hill.
They ask us to obey the court, and
yet justify amending the law to stop payment of Rs 25 a month to an old
woman. All the big temples have been taken over by the government and Hindu
religious funds are misused. Can it dare to even suggest taking over Haji
Ali or St Xavier's? Compare how the government treats Hajis and Hindu pilgrims?
Should we recall Meenakshipuram? The past 20 years have seen more than
50,000 Hindus killed by Islamic jehadis and more than 2,00,000 driven out
of their homes. And still, Hindus get sermons to "keep restraint". Ayodhya
is against this secular Talibanism
