RSS leader calls on Muslims to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ at mosques during Ram Mandir inauguration
RSS National Executive Member Indresh Kumar urged Muslims to chant “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” during the inauguration ceremony of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
New Delhi: A senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday called on Muslims across the country to raise ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants at mosques, dargahs and madrassas on the occasion of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 .
Speaking at a book release event in the national capital, RSS national executive member Indresh Kumar urged Muslims to chant “Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram” at the inauguration ceremony of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir later this month .
Speaking at the event, Indresh said that “about 99 percent” of Muslims and other non-Hindus in India belong to the country. “It will remain that way because we have common ancestors. They changed their religion, not the country.”
The RSS leader appealed to the people practicing Islam, Christianity, Sikhism or any other faith to participate in the ordination ceremony in Ayodhya by offering prayers for “peace, harmony and brotherhood” at their respective religious places ”.
He was addressing an event organized here to launch the book: “Ram Mandir, Rashtra Mandir – A Common Heritage”.
‘Common ancestors, common identity’
Kumar, who is also the chief patron of the RSS-linked Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), said: “We have common ancestry, common faces and a common dream identity. We all belong to this country, we have nothing to do with foreigners.”
“The MRM has given a call, and I repeat it today, to chant ‘Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram’ in dargahs, maktabs, madrassas and mosques, eleven times. For the rest, follow your way of worship,” he said.
“I appeal to gurdwaras, churches and all religious places that they will beautifully decorate their Ibadat Gah and prayer halls on January 22, between 11pm and 2pm and watch this event (consecration ceremony at Ram Temple) on TV.
“Pray for peace, harmony and brotherhood in India and around the world,” he said and urged all non-Hindus to also light ‘chirag’ (diyas) in the evening.
‘Ram belongs to everyone’
The RSS leader also joked about National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s comment that Lord Ram does not belong only to Hindus but to everyone in the world.
“He said Ram belongs to everyone, not just the Hindus. When did we say this is not the case?” Kumar said, asking Abdullah to make “the people in the group he is in” understand that Lord Ram also belongs to “them”.
“He should also tell the INDIA alliance that Ram belongs to everyone. Therefore, there is no need to get an invitation (to attend the ordination ceremony),” the RSS leader added.
Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan, while addressing the event, said that the “gyan parampara” of India is full of teachings that try to convey that “only a petty mind” carries thoughts like “this is of me and that is yours.”
“For those who have a big heart and a broad mind, the whole world is their own qunba (family). Gyan parampara, on which Indian culture is based, is full of these teachings,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)