“For Every Aurangazeb, there has been a Shivaji”– One of the most powerful & meaningful statements reflecting the history of world’s most ancient civilization & culture. Hinduism is beyond doubt proven to be the world’s oldest religion. India is abode to the “Sanathan Dharma” & Hinduism is considered to be the way of life. Greatness of Hinduism is inclusiveness & well being of all reflected by saying “Sarve Jana sukhino bhavantu”. Since centuries there has been attack on Sanathan Dharma in several ways which is continuing even today. Against all odds Hinduism stood due to the sacrifices, courage & unity of true sons of soil.
Indus Valley Civilization is world’s oldest civilization which started at the banks of river “Sindhu”. Words Hinduism & India are derived from river “Sindhu”. The places of origin of Indus Valley Civilization -Sindh, Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro are now part of Pakistan. Undivided India -Akhand Bharat or Hindustan included present day India,Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka, Myanmar and Tibet. Roots of Hinduism are seen in Thailand, Combodia and Indonesia also. Invasion of Bharath happened over centuries starting from 6th century till today. Arabs, Turks, Persians, Mongolians, Mughals invaded Akhand Bharat with target of plundering wealth, expanding Islam and destroying rich hindu culture. Thousands of villages, hundreds of cities and thousands of temples destroyed and wealth looted. Lakhs of Hindus were massacred brutally & lakhs converted to Islam. Lakhs of women were ill-treated, molested, raped & taken as hostages. This was followed by colonial invasion of Portuguese, Dutch, French & British. They also plundered wealth of country & propagated Christianity. Islamic countries Pakistan, Bangladesh & Afghanistan were carved out of India on religious basis in 19th century.
During this time of colonial rule education system was designed to show Hinduism in inferior way. Post-independence in Nehru regime anti- Hindu mechanism was adapted which grew very strong and deep rooted in to educational system, media & government policies. The true history of India was re written, re told white washing the brutal invasions & portraying Hinduism in inferior way. Nehruvian policy was adapted by subsequent congress governments mainly when the heirs of Nehru were at helm of ruling. Nehru openly acknowledge to not repair & restore ancient temples or heritage sites of Hindus. Temples were brought under purview of government exempting minority religious institutions. Sardar Vallabhai Patel insisted on reconstruction of Somnath temple in Gujarath which was vehemently opposed by Nehru.Nehru went ahead and said “By education I am an English man, by views Internationalist, by culture a muslim and a Hindu only by accident of birth”. Next governments redefined secularism as appeasement of Muslims & spreading hatred on Hinduism. Rajeev Gandhi misused majority in parliament to do injustice to muslim women against court judgment in case of “Shabhano case”. Lakhs of Kashmiri hindus were brutally killed by Muslims, fled Kashmir & became refugees in own country.
Sonia Gandhi led UPA govt tried to bring Communal Violence Bill which empowers center to arrest Hindus at their will. Important congress leaders coined terms like “Hindu terror” and even tried desperately to shift blame of Mumbai terror attacks of 29/11 on to Hindu organizations. Allegedly Congress president Sonia Gandhi cried over deaths of terrorists in Batla house encounter & Ishrath Jahaan encounter. Most of the political parties continued same manner at state level also. Most of policy actions were also taken considering minorities & neglecting Hindus. Next important section who spread a vile anti-Hindu propaganda includes media, journalists & intellectuals. In any issue they were ready to showcase Hindus in bad light & portray minorities as victims. They influenced globally & were successful in this anti-Hindu agenda whitewashing crimes of minorities. All such actions by ruling governments made majority Hindus feel inferior in their own country and being dominated by minorities.
The invasion on Hinduism happened since centuries by outsiders & now also continuing by the pseudo seculars, liberals & politicians in the nation. For every invader, there rose a leader like Pruthviraj chauhan, Shivaji, Hegdewar, Savarkar who stood for Hindus. Dr. Hegdewar who was unable to accept the ill treatment and discrimination of Hindus established Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1925. RSS and allied organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishath (VHP) and their members stood at fore front in respecting feelings of Hindus and fought for “Sarva Dharama Sama Bhavana” – “Treat all religions equally” true essence of secularism. Bharathiya Janatha Party and leaders believed these principles.
“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together” – Mark Twain.
In 2014 Narendra Modi decided to contest elections from Varanasi saying “Ma Ganga is calling”. Believed to be established by Lord Shiva himself Kashi means “City of light” or “Shining City”. It has been the holy spiritual religious pilgrimage center for Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism & Buddhism. Varanasi was also a main hub of trade, education and arts. Varanasi was basically a holy religious rich city full of life since ancient period. Kashi Vishwanth Temple is the holiest shrine of lord Shiva -One of the 12 Jyothirlingas. The temple was destroyed by Muslim invaders & rulers plundering the wealth & heritage. Aurangazeb destroyed temple and constructed Gyanvapi mosque. Supposedly the main priest of temple jumped with Jyothirlinga in to well to protect from destruction by invaders. The current shrine was built by Maratha ruler Ahalya Bai Holkar in adjacent site.
In 2019 Kashi Vishwanth corridor Project was initiated with goals of expanding available temple area to prevent overcrowding, accommodating more people and providing easier direct access between ghats of River Ganga & Temple. In 32 months, the corridor was transformed from narrow, squeezed 5000 square foot area to wide, magnificent and artistic 5 lakh square foot area reverberating with spirituality that can accommodate 50000 -70000 pilgrims with a budget of around 800 crores. 1400 residents,320 families and businesses were relocated and compensated satisfactorily. 43 ancient ruined temples were found and renovated like Gangeshwar Mahadev temple, The Mano Kameshwar Mahadev temple, the Jauvinayak temple and Shri Khumbha Mahadev Temple.24 new buildings were built.
Mahatma Gandhi in 1928 expressed severe grief over the condition of Timeless Holy city Kashi which was narrow and filthy with overflowing gutters. After centuries and nearly 7 decades of independence it was only Narendra Modi who acted and restored the glory of “City of Lights” realizing dream of Mahatma Gandhiji. Narendra Modi after becoming Prime Minister took several initiatives to restore the values of Sanathan Dharma and show case to world with pride. Modi himself suggested June 21st to be celebrated as International Yoga Day in UN address in 2014 and was successful in doing so. He confidently said “Lord Shiva is the originator of Yoga -Adi Yogi and Yoga is the gift of Bharath to the world”. Modi unveiled the samadhi of Shri Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath. A nationwide program was conducted across India in over 100 sacred sites associated with journey of Shri Adi Shankaracharya involving entire BJP cadre from grass root level workers to union ministers.
Similarly, Nationwide programs were conducted commemorating birth anniversary of Swamy Vivekananda. Modi government took up the most difficult Chardham Pariyojana aimed at improving connectivity to the 4 holiest pilgrimage centers- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri with 12000 crores budget in the harsh climatic terrain involving army also. It is an ambitious project neglected for several decades. Modi himself did Bhoomi poojan of Lord Shri Ram temple, Ayodhya. Modi government,along with Yogi Adityanth government in UP has developed infrastructure of Ayodhya including roads, airports and theme parks. Khartarpur corridor is a religious visa- free border crossing corridor connecting India border to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, holy pilgrimage site for Sikhs in Pakistan. Foundation stone was laid by Narendra Modi on November 26, 2018 and completed by 12th November,2019 marking 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
When PM himself invokes Adishankaracharya and Swamy Vivekananda youth of nation learnt about the contributions done by those great people in rejuvenating Santhan Dharama and projecting proudly with confidence globally. When PM himself takes a holy dip in river Ganga, performs Aarthi and pooja crores of hindus performing ceremonies identify themselves with PM and feel proud of culture. When PM himself supervises renovation of holy pilgrimages, construction of infrastructure and meditates in Kedarnath , every heart of hindu rejoices with joy as they are are able to witness the glory of Sanathan Dharma being restored finally. The people who are lamenting will be the pseudo seculars and opportunistic politicians who have been doing Anti-hindu agenda till now. They criticize illogically on any activity done by Modi and people realized the ad nauseum.
PM said, ”New India is proud of its culture and has confidence in its ability -There is “Virasat” (culture) and Vikas (Development). New India can beautify sea shrine of Somnath temple and can do under water fiber net cabling in sea. New India is renovating Kedarnath temple and also sending astronauts into space on own. New India is building Rammandir in Ayodhya and also medical college in every district. New India is building Vishwanth Shrine and also pucca houses for crores of poor.” Each and every word is true.
Rath yathra by Advaniji for Ram Temple in Ayodhya awakened & unified hindus all over nation. Narendra Modi restoring the heritage of Sanathan Dharma is leading to “Cultural Renaissance” of Hindus globally. He is the only Prime Minister of India who is proud of being a follower of Hinduism and feels proud to show the world ways of Hinduism. Undoubtedly Narendra Modi is first ever Unapologetic hindu head of India who wears hindutva on his sleeve. Undoubtedly Narendra Modi is the first ever unapologetic hindu head of India who wears hindutva on his sleeve.
