Modi invokes Ram Rajya, calls for equality and justice for all

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Lord Ram at the Dussehra celebrations on Tuesday evening, emphasising that Ram-rajya is an ideal where there is no discrimination. With the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections just months away, he recalled how Lord Ram embraced the Nishad king and honoured Mata Shabari, both from backward castes, and accepted his exile and coronation with equal detachment.

Reciting a Sanskrit couplet at the Vijayadashami celebrations, the prime minister said, "Neither was there any happiness on Lord Ram's face when he was crowned, nor did he feel any sadness when he went into exile. He followed the path of dharma even while dealing with a crisis and upheld righteousness."

In his speech, the prime minister recalled the pledge taken at the consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya of taking the nation from "Ram to Rashtra (nation)" and "Dev to desh (from God to country)" and expressed confidence that this will be realised.


Modi's remarks on Lord Ram and the Ayodhya temple come months ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, due in March-April.

"Ram-rajya is an administration where there is no discrimination against anybody, where everyone gets justice and equal opportunity. The aim of those in government is not to rule but the welfare of the people... We have to move with the mantra of 'citizen is God'," the prime minister said, adding that the welfare of the poor and the weak must remain a top priority for the government.

He said that no matter how big the crisis or difficulty, the country should not depend on others to bail it out.