Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address on the occasion of Dussehra at the Ram Leela Maidan in New Delhi on October 24, said the country has a tradition of worshipping weapons to protect its own territories, and not to dominate others.
“On Vijayadashami, there is a tradition of ‘Shastra Puja’ as well. On Indian soil, weapons are worshipped not to dominate any land but to protect its own land,” Modi said.
“Our Shakti Puja is not just for us but for the welfare of the entire world,” the prime minister added.
The statement assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has raised tensions across the Middle East.
Modi’s remarks also came two days after Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of ruling BJP’s ideological parent the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said “the world is looking towards Bharat expectantly to lead by example and show a new path to peace and prosperity, based on its own Sanatan values”.
Modi, notably, has spoken to the leadership of Israel and Palestine since the latest round of conflict in Gaza erupted. In his conversation with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi stated that India stands with Israel in the aftermath of “terrorist attack” on October 7.
The Indian prime minister, however, also conveyed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that New Delhi continues to abide by its long-held position on Palestine, that supports a two-state solution with both Palestine and Israel existing as a sovereign and secure entities next to each other.
Meanwhile, Modi in his Dussehra speech also spoke about the Ram Temple in Ayodhya whose construction will be completed and opened up for worshippers next year.
“We are fortunate enough to witness the construction of Ram Temple and on the next Ramnavami in Ayodhya, every note echoing in Ramlala’s temple will bring joy to the world,” he said.
“There are only a few months left for Lord Ram to reside in the Ram temple. Lord Ram is just about to arrive,” Modi added.
The construction of the temple was initiated in August 2020, around nine months after the Supreme Court settled the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute through its judgment in November 2019.
Modi, in his speech, also made a reference to the recent success of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, through which India made a soft landing on the lunar surface. “This time we are celebrating Vijayadashami when it has been two months since our victory over the Moon,” he noted.
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Updated: 24 Oct 2023, 07:22 PM IST