NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Senior Congress figure Jairam Ramesh criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement asserting that India’s “true independence” was solidified with the consecration of the Ram temple, labeling it as “anti-national” and demanding an apology.
Ramesh’s comments followed Bhagwat’s declaration that the date of the Ram temple’s consecration in Ayodhya should be commemorated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi” since it marks the day Bharat’s true independence was established, having suffered from “parachakra” (enemy attacks) for centuries.
“Shri Mohan Bhagwat has made absurd remarks on numerous occasions. However, even by his consistent low standards, this latest statement is not just shocking but fundamentally anti-national,” Ramesh expressed in a post on X.
He stated that it represents a significant insult to Mahatma Gandhi and that distinguished generation responsible for India’s freedom, in addition to being another attack on the Constitution, which took effect on January 26, 1950.
“Shri Bhagwat should promptly apologize for his shocking comments, which reflect an ideology that neither engaged in the freedom struggle nor respected the Father of the Nation and Dr. Ambedkar during their lifetimes,” Ramesh emphasized.
On Monday, Bhagwat mentioned that after India achieved political independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, a written Constitution was established according to a specific vision derived from the country’s “self,” though he claimed it has not been upheld according to that vision.
He made these remarks after awarding the “National Devi Ahilya Award” to Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, in Indore.
Just two days after the first anniversary of the Ram temple’s consecration, the RSS chief asserted that the date should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi,” declaring it the true independence day for India which had endured “parachakra” for many centuries. (Agencies)
