Interviewer: SHRI RAM SHAW
[Renowned Bollywood actress Dipika Chikhlia is best known for her role as Sita in Ramanand Sagar’s cult show Ramayan—an act that brought the mythical character Sita—a daughter of Janakpur—to the reach and knowledge of every television watcher not only in India but also across the entire world. A staunch believer of Hinduism, Deepika says, “Hindu Dharma is all-inclusive. One can respect others as brothers and sisters only when he admits that the one great Creator cannot possibly reject a huge chunk of humanity just because they do follow a different path. Hindus, being very good-natured are unable to believe that others can be so unreasonable. If Indians follow Dharma, reason, intuition and take the help of the profound insights of the Rishis, I am convinced that Bharat will quickly become stronger and culturally more vibrant.” She was also among the public during the recently-held Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla at the newly built Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Shri Ram Shaw found time to have an exclusive interview with actress Chikhlia for English.Sahityapost in which she shared her thoughts on the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, traditional family system, Hinduism, Hindu philosophy etc. Presented herewith is an edited excerpt of the conversation.]
What does Ram Temple in Ayodhya mean to you?
Ram Temple will be the foundation of a new India. This temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi will be an enduring and immortal beaming centre of social harmony, national unity and integration and awakening of the feeling of Hindutva. The foundation stone for the construction of the grand Temple at the birthplace of Bhagwan Shri Ram was laid in 1989. However, the construction of the Temple was embroiled in the hurdles created by various governments, the manipulations by political forces and the long delays in the courts. Now, the whole country would rejoice in the worship of Lord Rama. The effort and purpose is not only to build one more temple, but to establish ‘Ramatva’ in the whole world – for Ram Rajya. But this cannot be achieved only by the government. All sections of the society will have to join this mission.
With the construction of Ram Temple, do you think, a harmonious society based on equality would be established?
Yes, of course. We must always remain optimistic. There was no poverty and sickness in the rein of Shri Rama. The Ramatva will descend by establishing a harmonious society based on equality where every person will be treated with dignity. Everyone would be assured food, clothing and shelter along with education and gainful vocations. Family values will be respected, and everybody would have the opportunity to elevate himself to realize the Supreme Goal.
What should be done to strengthen the traditional family system of our region?
We must speed up the spread of better education and sanskar. We will have to work hard to strengthen the traditional family system of our region, wherein the families will become the centres of inculcation of human values and love towards each other. This will rid us of the problems of loneliness and depression. Maryada Purushotam Shri Ram had constantly strived for social harmony in his 14 years of exile. He had, on barefoot, visited all sections of the people, gave them his love and consolidated society. We will have to work tirelessly on the same ideals to bring about harmonious society. This will pave the way for the establishment of a society which will embrace with love and friendship the Ahalayas, Shabris and Nishadrajs and will remove the fallacies of high and low. We shall have a society where there would be no appeasement or exploitation. We are confident that with our collective efforts, we shall establish a self-confident and self-reliant region to perform its mission of peace and happiness in the world.
So, do you think Ram Temple will be a unique hub of social harmony?
Maryada Purushottam Bhagwan Shri Ram gave the message of social harmony and empowerment from his own life. The sacred water and earth carried to Ayodhya with great pomp, ceremony and joy from thousands of holy rivers and pilgrimage centres and shrines across the country to form part and parcel of the foundation and consecration ceremony of the Temple of Nativity of Shri Ram not only showcased the togetherness of the whole of Bharat, but stood to enthuse, motivate and orient people to always uphold and celebrate uncompromising cultural nationalism, integral humanism, national unity, territorial integrity of the nation. The emancipation of Ahalya by Shri Ram, high esteem shown to Shabari Mata and camaraderie with Nishadraj are outstanding illustrations of social harmony.
And, you also think that Ram temple will become a base of a strong and glorious Bharatvarsa?
The Bhoomi Pujan for Ram temple was a glorious moment for the country. No one can tarnish this fulcrum of national glory. The Hindu society fought continuously for 492 years to undo the debasing the signature superimposed by the foreign invader Babar on the birthplace temple of Shri Ram at Ayodhya. In the latest mass struggle that started in 1984 CE, 160 million Ram Bhaktas (devotees) and more than 3 Lakh villages of Bharat participated. This struggle continued till the historic verdict of the Supreme Court of Bharat delivered on November 9, 2019. It was the result of this, one of its kind, cultural freedom struggle that Babar’s outlandish superimposed structure, that disgraced our pride and nationhood, is no longer there, and the resolve to build a stately temple to our great Patriarch Bhagwan Shri Ram finally materialized by degrees.
Don’t you think that the organic movement expunged all manufactured and contrived fault-lines of division?
The history of Ram Janmabhoomi movement is a rousing journey of pride of the country. We won after nearly 1,000 years of continuous struggle against foreign invaders, but the divisive, disruptive and discordant politics of pseudo-secularism tried to frustrate the country’s self-esteem, cultural underpinning and bedrock. Hindu society was not only being divided on fictitious grounds, but also an insidious effort was on to plant a complex of inferiority in Hindu minds and hearts. This organic movement has expunged all manufactured and contrived fault-lines of division. Hindus have identified with one another, united and organized by rising above avowals of caste, creed, language, region, etc. They are filled with pride. As a result of this self-respect, confidence and national pride, divisive politics of Bharat is disappearing from all walks of life. The entire country is now full of confidence and bringing welcome changes in every field of life for all round welfare. Also, Bharat is making its debut as a superpower on the global stage.
What can we do to build a stronger and culturally vibrant Bharatvarsa?
Hindu Dharma is all-inclusive. One can respect others as brothers and sisters only when he admits that the one great Creator cannot possibly reject a huge chunk of humanity just because they do follow a different path. Hindus, being very good-natured are unable to believe that others can be so unreasonable. If we follow Dharma, reason, intuition and take the help of the profound insights of the Rishis, I am convinced that our region will quickly become stronger and culturally more vibrant. Hindus owe it to their forefathers who have left them such precious knowledge in so many fields that they honour it and defend it, if need be.
