Rashtradharma demands uniform civil code in India

In the impressive 52-acre Vatsalyagram campus in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, Sadhvi Ritambhara is the mother figure to the 2,500 inmates. They say that her words inspire and strengthen them. Indeed, when the 55-year-old saffron-robed woman with intense eyes speaks, her eloquence is almost spell-binding. It was this eloquence, mixed with fieriness and often outright acrimony in her speeches, that became one of the cornerstones for the Ram Janmabhumi movement, 27 years ago. The Sadhvi now runs a unique concept of family-based rehabilitation for abandoned children and destitute women at Vatsalyagram. She is "happy, amazed, spirited and excited" that Ram Lalla (idol of Lord Ram as a child) would be installed in Ayodhya, and is even ready to go to "Krishna Janmabhumi" (jail) in the case related to the demolition of the Babri Masjid. She might have almost shunned public life post the demolition, but her dreams for India are not over. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

You cried while watching the Ayodhya verdict on TV. What was on your mind?

It was a long wait. There were big sacrifices and a long struggle. Many of those who started the movement have died. Many of our children were killed in 1990 in Ayodhya (firing incident on kar sevaks). I had gone around the country to exhort people. There was a burden on my mind. I was distraught at the long wait for the decision. When the verdict came... there was excitement and happiness and a burden was removed. I was at a loss for words.

After the long wait, what is the feeling about the movement now?

I was angry that the majority Hindu community was blatantly ignored in the country. What did they think of the Hindus? If we are silent, keeping peace and patience, it did not mean we should be considered cowardly or weak. Why should the faith of such a big community not be understood? All our places of faith are buried under symbols of invaders. Christians have Vatican City, Muslims have Mecca and Medina. Where do we go? All our places have their imprint. The Ram Janmabhumi situation was the worst. Ram Lalla was behind bars. No one could go near. All this agitated me and I felt we got political freedom but not cultural freedom, and the struggle was needed for this.

How did you go about building such a huge movement?

It was possible only through God's will, and look, the movement changed the political narrative and direction (dasha aur disha) of the country.

Then why did you not enter politics?

I never thought about politics at all. It is not in my nature or my interest. I feel destiny used me there (the movement) and it is using me here (Vatsalyagram). It was a work of gallantry, this is a work of perseverance. All through life, I carried a political stamp, but I am not worried about it. I am not even a Rs2 (primary) member of the BJP, but people feel I am a BJP person. There was pressure on me to contest elections, but I strongly refused.

When did you think about establishing Vatsalyagram?

Service to people was ingrained in me from childhood. When I escaped from home to take sanyas (asceticism) at age 15, my parents searched for me among beggars. They knew I was worried about the destitute and the poor. I was worried about girls growing up with no clothes and menstrual blood seeping down their legs. This way of serving people has been my desire since then. I even serve the Lord through my children.

How do you deal with the obvious hatred of a section of people towards you?

I am clear within myself. I hate no one. So many children come to our creche. They do not carry any tag on their foreheads and I love all of them wholeheartedly. Vir Savarkar would say if you are Muslim, I am Hindu, or else I am a global friend. So our culture does not teach us hatred. If anyone calls me communal or of small mind, it is their way of looking at me. I am not bothered even if they keep away from me. Your shadow is created, but you can be understood only if the person comes close to you.

You faced a lot of legal cases for your speeches back then.

All those cases were baseless. Speaking one's mind is not a crime. To wake your own community from a deep slumber, one has to shout. I have no hunger for achievement. I am very successful in my current endeavour, but why is it not being recognised? Because I am accused of demolishing Babri. I am looked upon as communal. But I am not bothered.

How has your personal interaction with Muslims been?

There are a lot of Muslim sisters in my ashram. But I do not publicise such things. It happens naturally because thirsty people are given water without asking their caste and creed. Many Muslims understand me. When a person is same in heart and behaviour, it shows, and I am like that. Some people show themselves as secular, but are different in their hearts. This is like 'looking London, talking Tokyo'. I do not differentiate between people. But when even someone close to us works against the nation, we give them up, like we burn Ravana every year because he crossed his limits. But when Ravana was dying Lord Rama sent Lakshman to learn some lessons from him (Ravana). We worship this Lord Rama and his qualities seep into us.

Where does the country go from here? Take up Kashi and Mathura cases or give up the Hindu-Muslim issue?

Everyone has decided that if we go into the past, a lot of pages would be turned and it would be better to forget it (Kashi, Mathura issues). Everyone should get into the task of constructing the Ram temple, and even Muslims should be large-hearted about it. We are a society of great past and knowledge and with a legacy of great people. So, we do not need to affiliate to other identities and this we do not need to explain to Hindus. But the Muslim community should get connected with Indian roots because even if we are Akbar, Amar or Anthony, our ancestors were Ram and Krishna. Our ways of worship and life might have changed, but our blood has not. And, when the environment in country is based on this, everyone will get into nation building together. We have a lot to achieve.

If there is a sense of apprehension among the minorities, should they not be reached out to?

I think if our behaviour is such that it proclaims 'you are ours', then why have you kept a distance? No one abstains from eating or distributing sevai on Eid. Lot of Hindus go to mazars and dargahs. You say we should extend invitation to them. So we are extending the invitation. But they would also have to cross the lakshman rekha (boundaries) that a few among them have marked because of their own agenda. We do not mind who worships God in what way. They will have to see how they can culturally integrate with India while living with their own faith. This is not very difficult. The narrative that Muslims are [living] in fear is wrong. It is not in the character of Hindus to threaten anyone. I am happy to see that this time (after the Ayodhya verdict), everything has remained peaceful.

What do you think should now be the forward plan of the country?

There is absolute necessity to create more resources in the country—good roads, bridges, schools and hospitals. The big requirement is population regulation. The uniform civil code should be implemented in the country, so that [selfish] agendas come to an end, population would be balanced and resources would be used judiciously.

So uniform civil code is the answer to all problems?

It is simple like the sun shining down equally [on all]. Why should even dead bodies be looked upon as Hindus and Muslims? People say do not peep into past, but I say learn from the past and make your future. Strong decisions have to be taken. Now, Modiji's government is taking decisions to resolve issues quickly. I do not look at the Ayodhya verdict as justice, I look at it as a resolution of an issue. Everyone is happy. But the most important thing is that the entire country is same, so all should be treated equally. Think about Rashtradharma (duty to country). Rashtradharma says that uniform civil code should be implemented in the country.

In your current project, you are promoting family values. Are you worried about disintegration of family culture in India?

I am extremely anxious about the system. It is the education system in the country, which led to this situation. Why should we have to witness such scenes in Jawaharlal Nehru University? How are we creating an anti-national attitude in young people? This is self-destructive. India's base is founded on a strong family culture. Ancient people gave us this great system where marriage makes people gentle and tender. But we are destroying this system. We wanted to change the world, but the world has changed us. The need of the time is to reform education to connect with Vedic traditions that have scientific basis.

Are you anxious about the outcome of the Babri demolition criminal case?

(Laughs) My excitement is complete with the decision to build a temple for Ram Lalla. I am charged with conspiracy. The matter is in court, so I should not comment, but let me say I form only mantras and not shadyantras (conspiracy). Whatever happened, happened with the will of God and plan of destiny. Truth would come to the fore. Many people made big sacrifices for the Ram temple. If I get some punishment, I am not bothered. If the court sends me to jail, I will go, as Ram Lalla would sit in a grand temple. I will spend some time in Krishna Janmabhumi (jail) maybe and our Ram Lalla would sit in his Janmabhumi. But the charges on me are wrong. We did not try to infringe on anyone's rights.