As the nation eagerly anticipates the Pran Pratishta ceremony for the inauguration of the Ram Janambhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, the Kothari family of Kolkata holds special significance on this occasion. Brothers Ram and Sharad Kothari, who were among the first to hoist the saffron flag on the disputed Babri Mosque on October 30, 1990, are remembered as martyrs for the cause of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir. Today, their sister, Poornima, has been invited to participate in the Pran Pratishta ceremony on January 22.
“This is the first joy in the last 33 years. We waited for 33 years after the sacrifice of my brothers, and we are very happy… I have not forgotten anything of what happened to my brothers 33 years ago… Today we are able to see the grand Ram Temple in front of our eyes. But at some time, we lost all hope we had… I am happy and proud… The sacrifice of my brothers is getting its due respect today…” said Poornima Kothari.
Reflecting on the sacrifice of her brothers, Poornima expressed pride and happiness at witnessing the Ram Temple’s construction. Despite low expectations in the past, she now feels proud and appreciates the improved national environment.
Regarding opposition leaders declining the invitation, Poornima Kothari remarked, “This is their misfortune that they are not coming even after getting an invitation… There are lakhs of people who are sorry not to be here… There are people who are simply happy to be in Ayodhya, even if they cannot witness the pranpratishtha… They (Opposition) are politicians and they will witness everything from that point of view…”
The Kothari brothers’ close friend, Ashok Jaiswal, Vice President of Ram Sharad Kothari Smriti Sangh, reminisced about their sacrifice, emphasizing that both brothers were martyrs for the cause of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir.
The family has established the Ram-Sharad Kothari Smriti Sangh in their memory, engaged in various social causes. They will be providing refreshments at Ayodhya during the Pran Pratishta ceremony, with a group of about 60 people attending on behalf of the Sangh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to preside over the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22. Vedic rituals for the ceremony will commence on January 16, a week before the main event. The Sangh has also arranged for Akshat (Broken yellow rice) from Ayodhya to be delivered to every house in Kolkata to encourage more people to join the ceremony.
On October 30, 1990, Sharad Kothari was the first to hoist the Saffron flag on the main dome and did his Karseva successfully. At that time, they had come under the radar of the Mulayam Singh government and may have also become targets. On November 2, 1990,… tear gas was used against unarmed karsevaks when they were performing Ram Dhun. After that firing started and both brothers took refuge in a nearby home… Police held them forcefully and shot Sharad… Elder brother Ram tried to rescue him when the police shot him too in the head. This is how both the brothers lost their lives on November 2, 1990, while doing karseva. A 1008 Hundi Mahayagya will also be organised, in which thousands of devotees will be fed. Several tent cities are being erected in Ayodhya to accommodate thousands of devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple town of Uttar Pradesh for the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.