Interview/ Keshav Prasad Maurya, deputy chief minister, Uttar Pradesh
Keshav Prasad Maurya joined the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh at 18. Starting from 1988, he held various organisational posts in the Vishva Hindu Parishad. He was arrested numerous times during the movement and led some 50,000 kar sevaks to Ayodhya in 1992. Maurya has been a vocal opponent of cow slaughter and religious conversion, even going to jail in one case over the latter. Excerpts from an interview:
How do you look back on the Ram Mandir movement?
The temple is the result of 500 years of hard penance. It is like no struggle before it and there will be none like it. The construction of the temple is the final offering in a yagya (fire ritual) that has continued for centuries. If this country’s former prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had sacrificed appeasement like the ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi would have been free like Somnath. No innocent Ram bhakts would have been killed by the Samajwadi Party government.
What about your role in it?
I was a very small RSS worker who just followed orders of his leaders. I have seen the movement and its many ups and downs from close quarters. In 2002, when the [VHP’s] sant chetawani (warning) yatra was taken out, I was blessed to have served the saints. All through the movement, my only guiding light was: Ram kaj kinhe binu mohe kaha vishram (loosely: There is no rest for me till Ram’s work is not accomplished; uttered by Hanuman in the Sundar Kand of Valmiki Ramayan). This continues to guide me.
Given that the court acquitted all the accused, will we ever know who brought down the Babri Masjid?
The fall of the structure was a miracle made possible without distinction of caste, sect, language or region. It was Ram Kaj (the work of Ram). I remember how even policemen removed their shirts to take part in the kar seva.
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What is the significance of January 22, 2024?
The pran pratishtha ceremony will be a moment of pride for the country. It is only because of the BJP government that the construction of the temple has been possible. Under the politics of appeasement, Lord Ram was labelled a figment of imagination. This is an answer to the Congress and other parties. For Hindus, January 22 will be a day of glory. It will infuse them with new enthusiasm. It has taken 500 years for Ram Lalla to get to his home. This temple is our answer to all those who would mock us by saying ‘Ram Lalla hum ayenge, tareekh nahin batayenge’ (Ram Lalla we shall come, but we cannot tell you the date―a jibe at the slogan Ram Lalla hum ayenge, Mandir wahin banayenge). Now all those who criticised us know the date, time and everything else.
What will the Ayodhya of the future look like?
There is all-round widespread development. By the time Ram Lalla sits in his new home, the city will have all facilities for pilgrims in place. Reservoirs, roads, railway station, the airport―we are working on all. I know that constant work in Ayodhya has caused great inconvenience to its residents, but hidden in this pain is the joy of welcoming the Lord.