New Delhi: BJP veteran LK Advani, who was at the forefront of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, said its primary objective was the temple construction, however, it also sought to “reclaim the true meaning of secularism from the onslaught of pseudo-secularism”. In an article, 'Shri Ram Mandir: Fulfilment of a divine dream', penned by the party stalwart, he wrote during the movement stoked up a debate over the difference between genuine and pseudo secularism.
“On the one hand there was a groundswell of popular support for the movement. On the other hand most political parties were shying away from supporting it as they feared losing Muslim votes. They succumbed to the lure of this vote-bank politics and justified it in the name of secularism. Thus, the Ayodhya issue, whose primary objective was the reconstruction of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple also became a symbol of reclaiming the true meaning of secularism from the onslaught of pseudo-secularism,” read an excerpt of his article.
As Ayodhya is gearing up for the Ram Temple inauguration on January 22. Advani said this is a moment of fulfilment for him, not just as a BJP member but also as proud citizen of India.
Hailing the Supreme Court verdict over the Ayodhya land dispute, Advani wrote, “I am very happy that due to the decisive verdict of the Supreme Court in November 2019, the reconstruction of Shri Ram Mandir has happened in an environment of tranquillity.”
The BJP veteran also expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), RSS, BJP and the people associated with his yatra, seers, leaders and the kar sevaks. He said on this occasion, he missed former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, with whom he shared an "unbreakable and everlasting bond of mutual trust, affection and respect", and his late wife Kamla, who stood by him and was a “source of his unparalleled strength”.