The day all Temples are liberated, no one can stop India from being declared a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ ! : H.H. Hari Shankar Jain (Advocate in Supreme Court of India)
| As a representative of the Hindu Mahasabha, H.H. (Adv.) Hari Shankar Jain fought a legal battle in the Supreme Court of India to liberate the birthplace of Shriram.
This Article presents His experience during the long-drawn but successful legal crusade; it also presents His stance on the Shriram Temple being built in Ayodhya and the proposed construction of the Babri Masjid. |
| H.H. (Adv.) Hari Shankar Jain is a mine of qualities – intense desire to protect Dharma, serving Dharma without expectations, a fountain of energy, and wholly committed to the establishment of Ramrajya (Hindu Rashtra). He has intense bhav towards Shriram and the will to sacrifice His mind, body, wealth and even lay down His life for the Shriram Temple. |
1. The illegal Babri structure was finally removed after a 30-year-long legal battle
I fought the Shriram Janmabhoomi case from 1989, representing the Hindu Mahasabha in various Courts. When I took up this case, speaking openly on Hindutva or sharing thoughts as a staunch Nationalist, was rare specifically during the initial period. It never occurred to anyone that the way the then Union Government handled the Shriram Janmabhoomi case, one day, a magnificent temple of Shriram would be built.
My team and I fought this case relentlessly for 30 years, from 1989 to 2019. There was a group of legal experts, of which I was also a member. This group prepared and represented the facts in such a way that gradually the naysayers of other religions also started accepting the bitter truth. From the District Court to the Supreme Court of India, this group of lawyers proved that Prabhu Shriram remains the rightful owner of the Shriram Janmabhoomi (the birthplace of Prabhu Shriram) and the disputed Babri structure, commonly called the Babri Masjid (at its place), was illegal.
The Supreme Court of India acknowledged this. It was a dream come true for all of us that washed the stain of the barbaric invasion.
2. Allahabad High Court acknowledged that Prabhu Shriram resides in the heart of every Indian and is the soul of this Nation
I want to share something interesting we witnessed during the initial phase of this battle. After the Babri structure was demolished, Hindus were legally prohibited from worshipping Prabhu Shriram. As a result, the puja tradition was abruptly halted.
Then this group and I, as the General Secretary of ‘Vishwa Hindu Advocates’, filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court on 21sthari shankar December 1992, within 15 days of this repressive order. The Court heard the writ petition despite the winter vacation only due to God’s grace. In addition, it gave a remarkable verdict, which made the remote possibility for millions of Hindus a reality.
The Court acknowledged the existence of Prabhu Shriram and stated that Prabhu Shriram resides in the heart of every Indian; hence, He is the soul of this Nation. A beautiful sketch of Prabhu Shriram’s image is embossed on the pages of the original document of the Constitution of India, and it follows that every Hindu has the right to worship Prabhu Shriram. Moreover, it becomes an obligation and the duty of every Hindu residing in India. Sadly, not many Hindus were aware of this.
This petition helped Hindus become aware of this critical information, and what happened after this is history. The fact that a grand Temple of Shriram is being built in Ayodhya is no ordinary happening, as the initial activities towards the construction of the Temple had started when the Shriram Janmabhoomi case was being discussed in the Court.
3. The circumstances under which the Shriram Janmabhoomi case was fought and Allahabad High Court’s verdict
During this long battle to reclaim the birthplace of Prabhu Shriram, there were many moments I cannot share with anyone. However, all I can say is that something was happening at that time. God gave us the required (mental and spiritual) strength, and we filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court.
However, we soon realised that a few judges were relatives of people who were party to this case. This forced us to apply to get such judges replaced from this case to ensure that all the judges were unbiased and neutral. After these initial challenges, the Court initiated the hearing. Thus, on 3rd September 2010, the Allahabad High Court gave its incomplete verdict that divided the birthplace of Prabhu Shriram into three parts. It was grossly incorrect, to say the least.
4. We were victorious in the Shriram Janmabhoomi case as a result of the complete dedication of the team
My Hindu Advocate colleagues, a few devout Hindus, petitioners, and I appealed against this unjust verdict. On 9th January 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered the historic verdict – ‘The whole of the (so-called disputed) land belongs to Hindus’. This victory has helped in the construction of the Shriram Temple. After this arduous journey of 30 years and the subsequent victory, I am sure that when one devotes himself to a cause, takes all necessary precautions, and works on it with pure intentions, he emerges victorious.
Thousands of cases are fought, and Advocates present their arguments to Honourable Judges. However, they are more than just Advocates. They transcend their comfort zones when they devote themselves to their cases and work on them wholeheartedly. I have had this amazing experience while fighting the Shriram Janmabhoomi case. This increased my confidence immensely, and I am delighted that the Supreme Court of India acknowledged Shriram Janmabhoomi as the birthplace of Shriram.
5. The battle to liberate Kashi and Mathura has gained steam after the liberation of Shriram Temple
Today, a magnificent Shriram Temple is being built in Ayodhya. After the historic verdict from the Supreme Court of India on the Shriram Janmabhoomi case, I started the legwork for the other important legal battles. I joined the fight to liberate temples across the country, including the ones in Kashi and Mathura. To begin with, I started working on the Mathura case that aims to liberate the birthplace of Shrikrishna. The case has now been referred to the Allahabad High Court by the Lower Court.
The Court has ordered a detailed survey of the Idgah Masjid that stands on the birthplace of Shrikrishna. I pray – ‘May the birthplace of Shrikrishna be set free’. I am certain that Shrikrishna will make this a reality soon.
Following the Allahabad High Court order on the liberation of Baba Bholenath, the ASI officials conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi area in Kashi. They discovered a gigantic Shivalinga in the premises of the Gyanvapi Masjid. We demand that Hindus be entitled to worship the Shivalinga, and that the Gyanvapi Masjid, a symbol of oppression, which the Mughal invaders constructed after destroying the Shiva Temple at Kashi Vishwanath, be demolished immediately. We are trying our best to present facts to the Honourable Court so that a decision can be taken soon. I hope for a favourable verdict in this case as well.
The Supreme Court of India has also asked the Government to allocate 5 acres of land for a masjid. I accept this verdict since it is the verdict of the Supreme Court of India. However, right after this provision, I filed a petition since it was grossly incorrect to allocate land to Muslims. Hence, I requested the Court to reconsider its verdict. I strongly feel that Hindus too find the construction of a masjid grossly incorrect, since the Government cannot construct a masjid with public funds, nor can it allot any land for it.
It is unjust to provide any land to Muslims as compensation for the Babri Masjid, which reminds us of our oppression and religious subjugation. Muslims do not have any ritual to worship the land before any construction. They can begin the construction activity anytime. I think no political leader, Government official, Prime Minister, Chief Minister or any Minister or Secretary of State should attend a function that rubs salt on the feelings of millions of Hindus.
Hindus should not tolerate anything named after Babar. I request Hindus not to participate in such a ceremony but boycott this event that glorifies our oppressors.
6. Hindus should pledge to reclaim all temples
The Temples at Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya are critical for the liberation of all temples across the country. We must make every effort to liberate them. I had appealed to Hindus in the past and would appeal once again to pledge to reclaim all temples which were demolished and converted to places of worship for other religions.
Hindus should look for information that suggests a temple was converted into a place of worship for other religions, be it as small as a hut. Hindus should participate in this mission without any fear or inhibition.
Once all temples are liberated (or reclaimed), no one can stop India from becoming a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ !