A Rookie Journalist’s Ram Mandir Tale


(Photo Coutesy : Jagran Josh)



The Grand inauguration of Ram Mandir happened yesterday and my memories clouded with some of my encounters 35 years ago. The year was 1989. I was studying for graduation and journalistic bug bit me and I joined a local newspaper. It was BJP the rule in MP and very strict and disciplinarian Sundarlal Patwa was the Chief Minister.


The newspapers had right wing leanings and used to sympathize with their issues. I used to work for Sports page and also support regional coverage of the newspaper.

One day a young activist correspondent mentioned me about the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid issue and quizzed me whether I’m aware about it? It was a ‘PSPO’ moment for me. I was not much aware about it. He explained me the issue and also how the BJP is now trying to build a campaign for it. It was news for me.

Later, Shri L. K. Advani, then the president of the BJP, announced the Rath yatra (from Somnath) on 12 September 1990. The Rath Yatra began on 25 September 1990. While Yatra was going on, top leaders of BJP, were campaigning in other parts of the Country. There was a massive rally in Bhopal at Peer Gate addressed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee during that period. As a young correspondent of the newspaper (and more a curious observer), I attended the rally. The tension was there in the atmosphere. Some BJP Stalwarts like Kushabhau Thakre and Murli Manohar Joshi were there on the dais.

As Vajpayee was mid way through his powerful speech, there was sound of azaan (call to prayer) from a nearby Mosque. The maverick Vajpayee halted his speech and continued his discourse in between the breaks of azaan. It was a playful jugalbandi, and public listened him with rapt attention. The next day newspaper splashed the heading “Vajpayee ji ki Azaan ke saath jugalbandi’ (वाजपेयी जी की अज़ान के साथ जुगलबंदी).

After the speech, the atmosphere was charged. There were chanting of “Jai Shree Ram” and people started crowding the stage. It was after a huge effort that Vajpayee could leave the stage.

The Ram Janmabhoomi movement picked up the momentum after that and rest is history.

My ‘journalistic’ journey also ended after a year when my academic results started deteriorating and I got rap on my knuckles from my parents.

The political landscape has changed completely in last 35 years and I can say that my generation has witnessed this massive change.


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