Addressing the 10th Ayodhya Deepotsav, Vice-President recalls sacrifices made during the Ram Temple movement; praises Yogi government’s law and order record and UP’s development
Ayodhya: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple as a symbol of Hindu self-respect, recalling the sacrifices made by devotees, saints and religious leaders during the centuries-long struggle for the temple’s construction.
Addressing the 10th edition of Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 as the chief guest at Ram Katha Park, he said the Ram Janmabhoomi had remained a centre of faith and unfulfilled aspirations for millions of devotees for nearly 500 years. After a prolonged wait and struggle, the grand temple now stands at the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The programme was attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, state ministers and several religious leaders.
The Vice-President said the contributions and sacrifices of saints, seers and devotees associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement would remain an important part of history. He described Lord Ram as an enduring ideal of duty, compassion, righteousness and moral conduct.
He said Lord Ram placed responsibility above personal comfort, Dharma above individual interests and the welfare of his people above everything else. These values, he added, continued to guide public service.
Recalls Contributions to Ram Temple Movement
Radhakrishnan linked the Ram Janmabhoomi movement with the rise of several leaders to important constitutional and political positions. He said the sacrifices made by Ram devotees had contributed to the circumstances in which Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and he himself rose from a small farmer’s family to become Vice-President of India.
He also recalled the role of ordinary people in the movement, particularly during the nationwide Shila Pujan campaign initiated by Ashok Singhal.
Sharing a personal memory, he said his mother had headed the local worship committee in his hometown during the campaign. She carried a brick on her head through the area and eventually organised its Shila Pujan at the local Ganesh temple.
He said his mother could never have imagined that her son would one day become Vice-President and attend a major Deepotsav celebration in Ayodhya.
The Vice-President also referred to Maharishi Valmiki, saying that social standing was determined by character and contribution rather than birth or family background.
Praises Improvement in Uttar Pradesh’s Law and Order
Radhakrishnan praised the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government for changes in the state’s law and order situation under Yogi Adityanath.
Recalling his earlier visits to Uttar Pradesh, he said people once faced serious concerns about security and that criminal elements had exercised considerable influence in some areas. He said the situation had changed, with the police now exercising greater control and women feeling safer even when travelling at night.
To illustrate the change, he narrated an interaction with a small shopkeeper in Varanasi. According to the Vice-President, the shopkeeper told him that women could now move around without fear even at midnight. The shopkeeper also disclosed that he had previously been involved in disruptive activities but had abandoned them and opened a small business after the change in governance. He was now earning an honest livelihood and supporting his family.
Radhakrishnan cited the account as an example of the changes taking place in the state.
Ayodhya Reflects ‘Development Alongside Heritage’
Describing Ayodhya as an example of the government’s approach of combining development with heritage conservation, the Vice-President said the religious city was also developing as a modern smart city and solar city.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with giving Ayodhya greater national and international recognition.
Infrastructure projects, including the Panchkosi Parikrama route and Ram Katha Park, were providing new opportunities for religious tourism, he said.
He also referred to the Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, where more than 66 crore devotees reportedly participated over 45 days. He said the event demonstrated the state’s capacity to manage a gathering of such a large scale.
Uttar Pradesh Moving Towards $1 Trillion Economy
The Vice-President said Uttar Pradesh had emerged as the country’s third-largest state economy and contributed around nine per cent to India’s GDP.
He also referred to the state’s budgetary provision of more than Rs 9 lakh crore for 2026-27, describing it as an indication of the government’s development priorities.
Expressing confidence in the state’s economic ambitions, he said Uttar Pradesh could achieve its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy with the support of its people and the continued participation of devotees and other stakeholders.
He told Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that he expected Uttar Pradesh to emerge as a major growth engine in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Deepotsav Message: Prosperity and Collective Progress
Speaking about the significance of Deepotsav, Radhakrishnan said the festival carried a special meaning for every Indian household, symbolising the removal of darkness and the arrival of happiness and prosperity.
Extending Diwali greetings, he urged people to follow the ideals of Lord Ram in their personal lives and public responsibilities.
He said India’s aspiration to become a leading global power should be guided by cooperation and the welfare of all nations rather than an attempt to impose its will on others.
India, he said, should seek global leadership by taking the world along and working towards the collective well-being of humanity.
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