Jai Shree Ram! Only 2 days left for the construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a dream of 20 generations finally coming true. I am proud to be born in this period where I can see the Ram Temple in Ram Janmabhumi. However, our upcoming generations may forget the contributions made by our forefathers to Ram Janmabhumi. Books and texts will not let them forget this, and here is one of the best attempts by Rashmi Sawant to write a book like 'Ram Janmabhoomi: The Inspiration for Hindu Resurgence.'
Let's review her work in detail and explore how much it is attached to Hindus' souls and the Ram Janmabhumi movement.
Initial Impressions of Ram Janmabhoomi: The Inspiration for Hindu Resurgence
Even after starting Chapter 1, a sentence by the author written on the next page caught my eye:
"All royalty proceeds will be donated to the Ram Mandir."
This brings satisfaction and respect – satisfaction for being an indirect part of a little donation for the Shri Ram Temple and respect for the honorable author Rashmi Sawant. The 226-page book contains a variety of content. The first half works as an awareness text for Hindus, while the second half provides the details of incidents chronologically, starting from 1858 when the first police complaint was filed against Nihang Sikhs for performing Hawana in the Babri structure. It covers the 1949 incident when idols appeared miraculously in the Babri structure.
The three major subjects emphasized in this book are the destruction of Hindu civilization since the 8th century, unsung warriors of the Ram Janmabhumi movement, and chronological incidents from 1858 to the current day.
What Makes Rashmi Samant Perfect for this Book?
Rashmi Samant, a young author, may not have been born during the late '80s Ram Janmabhumi movement, but her capability to write on Shri Ram Janmabhumi surpasses anyone else in my generation. Her knowledge, coupled with being the first Indian female president of the Oxford University Student Union, showcases her exceptional background. She faced discrimination in Oxford because of her Hindu religion, adding a personal touch to her connection with the subject.
The Desecration of Temples
Consider this book 126 pages, as 100 pages list temples that were destroyed and mosques currently standing. The list is not fabricated; it's reproduced from Sita Ram Goel, Arun Shourie, Harsh Narain, Jay Dubashi, and Ram Swarup's 'Hindu Temples: What Happened to Them (Vols 1 and 2),' Voice of India, New Delhi, 1991. It contains a list of temples from 43 different districts in India, each with a list of destroyed temples where mosques now stand. The book also provides a list of 73 temples that were destroyed in Bangladesh during the Ram Janmabhumi movement, most of them demolished before the Babri incident in December 1992.
3 Lessons from this Book
Even the British Knew the Truth about Ram Janmabhumi
On page 177, Chapter 7, the British judge, Colonel FEA Chamier, in his verdict, admitted,
"It is most unfortunate that a masjid should have been built on the land specially held sacred by Hindus."
First Ask Politely, Then Fight for Your Rights
Hindus even begged for their Ram Janmabhumi. An incident involving Swami Satyamitranand Ji Maharaj during the late '80s talks illustrates this. On page 186, after Jumah Namaz, Swami Satyamitranand Ji Maharaj pleaded,
"Salat (prayer/namaz) is followed by zakat (almsgiving). I beg of you, Shree Ram's birthplace as alms."
Faith Can Make Us Strong
On pages 209 and 210, the author beautifully expresses the power of faith.
"Faith can teach us to be strong even when we feel weak, to be brave even when we are scared, and to keep going no matter what we face."
Ramlalla ke Laal
The most important thing is that this book contains stories of some unsung heroes of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. They were human, just like you and me, but they made the supreme sacrifice to free the Ram Janmabhumi site and temple construction. Their stories should reach every Hindu's house.
I also learned about individuals who played roles similar to the squirrels of Ram Setu, and their contributions are greater than any others. Rashmi Sawant beautifully collects all these stories. Soon, I will launch a 5-6 episode short video series, 'Ramlala Ke Laal,' in Apurva Bharat where I will share their unsung sacrifices, which I discovered from this book.
Audience Recommendation for this Book
Every Hindu in the world needs to read this book. It opens the eyes of every Hindu worldwide to stand with their brethren in any global problem. This book is not only about the Ram Mandir; it contains a hidden message about our responsibility for our Dharma and country.
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