11. Effect of Ayodya Episode on Ram Rahim

CHAPTER 11

Effect of Ayodya Episode on Ram Rahim

A FEW YEARS LATER:

25 years old Ram, friends and his family were watching Ayodya case on TV.

Ram said, “Bolo Sri Ram Ki Jai.”

Others shouted, “Sri Ram Ki Jai.”

They saw the tomb fall.

Ram said happily, “I have ordered some sweets. Has Vimal returned?”

Suddenly Vimal came with sweets. “Has it fallen? Good. Have some sweets.”

Ram shouted, “Sri Ram ki Jai.”

Shekhar had tears in his eyes. Vimal distributed sweets. But Sangita refused. She had tears in her eyes.

Ram asked, “What has happened to you? Why are you crying? Take sweets.”

Sangita wiped her eyes. “This is a black day for our nation. They have done a wrong thing.”

Ram was serious. “What do you know about the history of our country? They ruled our nation for 1000 years and destroyed it completely. Gazni attacked 17 times and lost 16 times. King Pritvi arrested him 6 times. When Gazni fell at his feet, he forgave him and left him. On the 17^th attempt Jaichand cheated King Pritvi and he was defeated. That Gazni removed King’s eyes. This is the difference between us and those invaders. From that day to this day, those Mogal rulers grabbed everything.”

Sangita said, “Don’t tell me history. Past is gone. We are all Bharatiya. We are Indians. Not Hindus or Muslims.”

Ram said, “We should rewrite history”

Sangita said, “There are thousands of temples in our country. We don’t need temples any more. We need literacy. That is god and that is light.”

Ram said, “You will not understand anything. No use arguing with you.”

He shouted, “Sri Ram ki Jai.”

They all left. Sangita switched off the TV.

Mother said, “Come and have lunch.”

Sangita said sadly, “No, mommy. I don’t feel like eating anything after watching TV.”

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In Rahim’s house, Muslims were watching TV. All were sad and silent.

Maula said sadly, “Oh Allah!”

Rahim said, “Appajan, I never watch TV or read paper. I only read the Quran. Today I am forced to see such a sad scene. Oh Allah!”

He put his hands on his eyes as if in pain. Then he removed them. “Our Masjid had to saw this day. When I read the Quran, I feel so peaceful. Quran is a way to peace. But seeing them destroying the Masjid, my blood is boiling. I feel like taking a sword and cutting off those hands.”

Afroz was watching Rahim. “Why are you getting so tempted? They have made the issue so big by talking of Ramalaya. Here our men are making Babri Masjid issue so big. There is nothing to it. We have so may other problems to solve. There is poverty everywhere. Instead of concentrating on these issues, our political leaders are playing games.”

Rahim was serious. “Anna, if you had ever read Quran properly you would have understood. Have you ever visited the Masjid to do namaz? No. how can you understand how pure our Masjid is. You are not a true Muslim.”

Maula was looked at both of them.

Afroz said, “Brother, I am more an Indian than anything else. I will not get tempted by these issues. You people get tempted and the politicians make use of your tensions.”

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After 4 days, bomb blast takes place in Hyderabad. There was a sweets shop on the road in front of Ram’s house. One man left a bomb on a scooter parked in front of the shop. It burst and 4 to 5 men died. The shop owner Mahender and his son Vimal who was a good friend of Ram died on spot. Vimal’s sister, Vasudara was admitted in the hospital. Ram was shocked to saw his best friend Vimal die. Funeral took place. Ram went to see Vasundara in the hospital. She was now alone. He became everything to her. Ram looked after her. He brought her to his home and she started staying with Ram and his family.