Buddhists and SCs pitch for Valmiki’s statue in Ayodhya

NEW DELHI: On the heels of the apex court judgment in favour of construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Buddhist community and Scheduled Castes on Thursday pitched for installation of a statue of ‘Maharishi’ (sage) Valmiki, who composed the eponymous epic ‘Ramayana’.

Hindu devotees walk past stone slabs earmarked for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, after the Supreme Court verdict on the disputed religious site. AFP

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 14

On the heels of the apex court judgment in favour of construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Buddhist community and Scheduled Castes on Thursday pitched for installation of a statue of ‘Maharishi’ (sage) Valmiki, who composed the eponymous epic ‘Ramayana’.

“Installation of statue of Valmiki, who was a Scheduled Caste in the precinct of the proposed Ram Temple is natural as the seer composed the Ramayana,” said Bhante Sanghpriya Rahul, president of Rashtriya Baudh Sangh.

“The Rashtriya Baudh Sangh will lead a delegation of Buddhists and downtrodden section of society to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the matter,” said Bhante Rahul.

Also, the delegation will meet other dignitaries in the matter.

He further said it would be ideal if a statue of ‘Kevat’ — the boatman who helped Ram, Sita and Lakshman ferry across the Ganges — is also installed.

As a token of devotion to Ram, the Kevat refused to charge him thereby becoming a symbol of unconditional devotion in the Indian folklore.

Kevat is a modern day caste of ‘Mallah’— recognised as “Most Backward Caste” in modern India.

“Both Valmiki and Kevat standout for their exemplary role in the society. Their respect for the Lord, whose compassion and identification with downtrodden throughout the epic underscores the age-old cultural plurality, secular and inclusive ethos of the country,” said Bhante Rahul, and added that the culture must be preserved.

The gesture of installing Valmiki statue will further the cause, he said.

The Baudh Sangh batted for installation of statue of Hanuman who was devotee of Lord Ram.

It will mobilise public support in the matter, including in UT of Ladakh and state of Himachal Pradesh, where there is sizeable presence of Buddhists.

The VHP, which was in the vanguard of the movement for Ram Temple, has lent support to the demand for Valmiki’ statue.

Addressing a function relating to birth anniversary of Valmiki, which was organised here by the Rashtirya Baudh Sangh a few days ago, VHP’s working president Alok Kumar committed support to it.

A number of SC organisations have also joined hands with Rashtirya Baudh Sangh for the cause, said Bhante Rahul.