Lord Ram is not dispute, but a solution, says PM Modi after Ayodhya temple consecration

Ayodhya: Making a veiled attack on the opposition parties after the consecration of the Ram temple here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Lord Ram is not a dispute, but a solution.

"Ram is not fire, Ram is energy. Ram is not a dispute, Ram is a solution. Ram is not just ours, Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is not only present, Ram is eternal," he said in an apparent dig on the opposition parties.

Further attacking the opposition for stating that the construction of Ram temple will set fire everywhere, PM Modi said such people could not understand the purity of India's social spirit.

"There was also a time when some people used to say 'Ram Mandir bana toh aag lag jaegi' (the construction of the temple will set off a firestorm). Such people could not understand the purity of India's social spirit," he said.

But, the construction of the temple is a symbol of peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of the Indian society, PM Modi added.

PM Modi also acknowledged the role of the judiciary for upholding justice with right adjudication to resolve the protracted legal battle over the Ramjanmabhoomi dispute. The legal dispute centered around the rightful ownership of the land in Ayodhya and the existence of Lord Ram.

"The legal battle over the existence of Lord Ram went on for decades. I would like to express my gratitude to the judiciary of India for upholding justice," he said.

In an act of rectification to amend historical delays and fulfillment of a collective duty towards the cultural and religious icon, PM Modi acknowledged the potential shortcomings of concerted efforts to build the Ram temple at His birthplace.

"Today, I apologise to Lord Shri Ram. There must have been something lacking in our hard work, sacrifice, and penance that we could not do this work for so many centuries. Today, that deficiency has been filled," he said.

PM Modi also laid out the foundation of a transformative vision for India spanning 1,000 years. He pledged to create a capable, grand, and divine India. "From this moment, we take a pledge to build an India that is not just self-reliant but resonates with grandeur and divinity," he said.

The idol of Lord Ram was unveiled at the consecration ceremony after the hour-long rituals in Modi's presence.

The Prime Minister walked inside the temple premises with a silver 'chattar' (umbrella) placed on a red folded dupatta.

He visited Kuber Tila on the Ram temple premises in Ayodhya and worshipped Lord Shiva there. He performed 'Jal Abhishek' (offering water on the 'Shiva linga') and also did a 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the temple.

The ancient Shiv temple located on the Kuber Tila in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex is also being renovated by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which is constructing the Ram temple.

The prime minister later unveiled a statue of 'Jatayu' on the premises of the Ayodhya Ram temple.

He showered flower petals on workers who were involved in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.