Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in Ayodhya on Wednesday, drew a direct parallel between the conduct of the Indian military and the timeless values of Lord Ram. He stated that India's actions during 'Operation Sindoor' were guided by the principles of restraint and dignity, much like the epic hero taught the world.
A Grand Celebration in the Temple Town
The senior BJP leader was in Ayodhya on December 31, 2025, to mark the second anniversary of the 'Pratishtha Dwadashi' ceremony, which consecrated the idol of Lord Ram in the newly built temple. He was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the celebrations. Before his address, Singh offered prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple and at the Ram Mandir. In a ceremonial act, he also installed the sacred Dharma Dhwaja atop the Annapurna Mata Temple within the complex, amidst Vedic chants.
Expressing profound emotion, Singh said he was at a loss for words, feeling as if all his life's aspirations had been fulfilled. He described every street and square of Ayodhya as being imbued with the spirit of Ram, with landmarks like Kanak Bhavan and Dashrath Mahal glowing in the embrace of the Sarayu river.
Operation Sindoor: A Lesson in Calibrated Response
In his keynote speech, the Defence Minister specifically referenced Operation Sindoor, a military action against terrorist targets. He elaborated that just as Lord Ram upheld moral values even during war, the Indian armed forces executed a limited, calibrated, and objective-based operation. The aim was not maximal aggression but to deliver a precise lesson by striking terrorists within their own hideouts.
"The aim of Operation Sindoor was to teach terrorists a lesson, and the forces achieved this with the ethos of dignity," Singh emphasized, linking contemporary national security strategy to ancient Indian wisdom.
The Ram Narrative: A Global and Peaceful Struggle
Rajnath Singh also framed the decades-long movement for the Ram temple as a unique historical phenomenon. He called it "the world's most grand and unparalleled narrative," distinct in both geography and time. He asserted that the reverence for Lord Ram extends far beyond the Hindu community, connecting people across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
"This movement belonged to all those who revere Ram," he stated. Highlighting its peaceful nature, he added, "A peaceful, non-violent struggle spanning nearly 500 years has no parallel in world history." The Defence Minister also recalled his personal involvement in the movement as the national president of the BJP's youth wing, the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, following the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Concluding on a forward-looking note, Singh mentioned that just as the grand temple of Lord Ram now stands in Ayodhya, a magnificent temple is also being constructed at Punauradham, the revered birthplace of Mata Janaki (Sita).
