Renowned BJP stalwart and former deputy prime minister, L.K. Advani, chose not to attend the Pran Pratishta ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, attributing his absence to the harsh winter conditions prevailing in northern India. Having played a pivotal role in spearheading the Ram Janmabhoomi movement during the 1990s, Advani’s rath yatra eventually led to the historic demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. At the age of 96, Advani received advice from the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra to refrain from participating in the ceremony, despite subsequent invitations from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. 

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LK Advani’s association with the BJP commenced in 1980, and by 1984, he had assumed leadership of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. His commitment to the cause was solidified in 1989 when the BJP declared the construction of a Ram temple on the disputed land in Ayodhya as its primary political agenda. This movement gained momentum during the autumn of 1990 when Advani embarked on a rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya.

The choice of Somnath as the starting point of the yatra held profound symbolic importance. In his 2008 book, “My Country My Life,” Advani explained that the intention was to draw parallels between the historical aggression faced by Somnath and the reconstruction of the temple in Ayodhya. This symbolism aimed to contextualize Ayodhya within the historical narrative of Muslim aggression, seeking legitimacy for the Mandir movement.

Source: NDTV

Advani’s rath yatra was not merely a peaceful demonstration. The imagery of him carrying a trishul, an axe, a sword, and a bow and arrow, along with provocative posters depicting the proposed temple and the perceived ‘treachery’ of Muslims, conveyed a strong message. The yatra witnessed widespread violence, rioting, and even fatalities. In October 1990, the Bihar government, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, intervened and arrested Advani and his associates in Samastipur, bringing a temporary halt to the tumultuous journey.

The peak of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992. Advani played a prominent role in leading the mob of kar sevaks responsible for this historic event. Even after his arrest during the yatra, thousands of kar sevaks managed to reach Ayodhya, resulting in a clash with the police that led to several fatalities. The echoes of the violent events during this period continue to reverberate in Indian political history.

Source: Swarajya

Fast forward to the present, and the reasons behind Advani’s decision to skip the pran pratishtha ceremony are rooted in practical considerations. At the age of 96, he cited the extreme cold conditions in northern India as a deterrent. Despite recommendations from the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra to refrain from attending, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad extended invitations to both Advani and his colleague Murli Manohar Joshi.