Those whose loved ones wr shot dead for their part in removal of disputed structure at Ayodhya or burned by jihadis at Godhra returning from Karseva-should have had the first rights at Bhumipujan. A foundation that doesn’t pay respect to founders starts on shaky ground.
It might very well be true that without the PM and his cabinet at centre, any other central gov wd hv done everything possible to appease jihadis and intervene to prevent bhumipujan. But ppl elected him to do what they expected him to do and empowered him to do so.
He should be present at the foundation for that was part of the expectation that people voted him for. But those who went for karseva and gave their lives did it without being given the power to do so hence their sacrifice deserved much more from the organisers.
The digger of the field on which the edifice is built must be honoured first among all the humans involved in building. Mere ritual observations do not protect the edifice if it doesn’t know how to respect the people who had paid the highest price to build it.
This temple may not be the last one there to be built. Every jihadi worth his nail dirt will seek glory to damage it or kill devotees assembled. Because the job doesn’t end with building a temple and observe rituals. It begins with respecting the forces that will protect it.
