Constitutional truth

BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad makes a distinction between western and Indian approaches to history. “In the western view the study of history has to be based upon the dry evidence of bricks and mortars whereas in our civilisational tradition our icons transcend these boundaries of historicity. Viewed in this context Prabhu Ram becomes a living embodiment whose existence is felt by an ordinary human being if his ‘bhakti’ is sincere and profound. This living entity not only becomes an inspiration or a guide but also an anchor laying down the ‘maryada’ of righteous conduct which ought not to be transgressed.”

Prasad accuses the Communists of not understanding this “living reality of Lord Ram”. Nor did their so-called intellectual fellow travellers. It is for this reason, he says, that the Leftists have been pushed to the “margins” of Indian politics. “However, what is truly shocking is the understanding of the present day Congress.” Prasad points out that when the Constitution came into effect on January 26 1950, in the original hand-written copy were illustrations by eminent painters. “A victorious Lord Ram returning to Ayodhya, along with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman after defeating Ravan forms an important illustration in the original copy of our constitution. This copy was published again in 1999 on the completion of 50 years of our Constitution making by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and this also contains the said portrait of Lord Ram forming part of our Constitution. The important point to note is that the historical, civilisational, cultural and spiritual iconic godly status of Lord Ram was given a constitutional sanctity by our founding fathers.”