AYODHYA (UP), Dec 31: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday described the Ram Temple movement as a “grand narrative” that has laid the foundation for India’s future, and said the country acted with the ideals of Lord Ram during Operation Sindoor.
Singh was addressing a gathering at the Ram Temple complex after hoisting the national flag at the Annapurna Temple and participating in prayers on the second anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha — the consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol.
The senior BJP leader said that despite repeated assaults by foreign invaders attempting to erase Sanatan traditions, the saffron flag fluttering over the temple symbolised India’s civilisational continuity.
Recalling India’s recent military action, Singh said the country drew inspiration from Lord Ram’s ideals during Operation Sindoor.
“Ram is humble, virtuous, and compassionate. But when necessary, He takes up the task of vanquishing evil. During Operation Sindoor, we acted with that same spirit,” he said.
The operation, launched in the early hours of May 7, saw India carry out precision missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. At least 100 terrorists were eliminated, and heavy damage was inflicted on Pakistani military installations after its attempted retaliation.
“Just as Lord Ram’s aim was not to destroy Ravana but to end adharma, our objective was to teach terrorists and their patrons a lesson through restrained and purposeful action,” Singh added.
Singh emphasised that Lord Ram was not merely a mythological figure but a living moral force guiding society through times of moral conflict and duty.
He hailed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement as “one of the greatest in the world” — both in scale and duration — noting that devotees, saints, and seers endured repression and bullets for their faith.
“History has shown that time delivers justice. Those who stood with Ram and Dharma continue to serve the nation, while those who opposed it have been left behind,” he said, joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Calling the Pran Pratishtha anniversary a moment of deep spiritual fulfilment, Singh said witnessing Ram Lalla seated in the temple felt like the culmination of a centuries-long wait.
“This movement was not born overnight. It arose from society’s consciousness, evolved with time, and laid the foundation for the future. It was a struggle of patience, penance, and faith lasting over five centuries,” he said.
The defence minister said the consecration two years ago marked not just the installation of an idol but a “spiritual reawakening” in the hearts of Indians.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Singh said the Ram Temple embodied actions taken today that would shape the next thousand years.
“The present generation is blessed to witness Lord Ram seated in Ayodhya. For us, the greatest satisfaction is seeing with our own eyes what previous generations only dreamed of,” he said.
He also highlighted Ayodhya’s rapid transformation under the “double-engine government,” which, he said, was developing world-class infrastructure while preserving faith and tradition. The influx of devotees, Singh noted, had turned the city into a global spiritual destination, reflecting India’s civilisational pride.
The Pran Pratishtha rituals were performed by Prime Minister Modi on January 22, 2024 — the twelfth day (Dwadashi) of the Hindu month of Pausha. This year, the same Dwadashi falls on December 31.
