By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 19 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today participated in a meeting of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Haridwar. Addressing the gathering on the Central Margadarshak Mandal Dhami stated that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been playing a significant role in strengthening service, values, social harmony and national consciousness for the past six decades and has emerged as a powerful medium for the preservation and promotion of Indian culture and Sanatan values.
The CM asserted that the VHP is not merely an institution but a strong force dedicated to safeguarding and nurturing the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage. He said that at a time when India and the world were witnessing rapid changes, society needed to remain aware, organised and committed to its cultural roots and traditional values. He called upon all the sections of society to contribute actively towards nation-building while giving top priority to social unity, harmony and national interests.
Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was witnessing a renaissance of its cultural and spiritual heritage. He said that landmark initiatives such as the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the creation of Mahakal Lok have infused new energy into the country’s cultural consciousness. He said that the Uttarakhand Government is working with a firm resolve to establish the State as the spiritual capital of the world.
The CM said that rapid progress is being made in the redevelopment and beautification of ancient temples in the Kedarkhand and Manaskhand regions. He added that restoration work at Yamunatirth in Haripur Kalsi is also being undertaken, while important projects such as the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, Sharda Corridor and Golju Corridor are also advancing at a fast pace.
He said that the State Government remains committed to preserving the cultural identity, spiritual heritage and original character of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. With this objective, a stringent anti-conversion law had been implemented in the State. He said that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has ensured equal rights and equal laws for all citizens. The Government has also introduced a strict land law to protect the State’s land, culture and public interests. He added that encroachment removal drives have also been undertaken to free government land from illegal occupation and that continuous efforts are being made to maintain law and order and social harmony.
Dhami said that in order to connect the younger generation with its cultural roots, a Centre for Hindu Studies has been established at Doon University, where research and academic studies related to Indian philosophy, culture and civilisation would be promoted. He emphasised that Uttarakhand is not merely a geographical entity but a centre of Sanatan culture and spiritual consciousness.
Before the CM’s address, the sages and the seers associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Margdarshak Mandal blessed him and described him as a protector of faith, dedicated to the service of Sanatan traditions and a custodian of the temples of Devbhoomi.
Addressing the gathering Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri said that just as Sanatan culture is gaining global prominence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several historic initiatives had been undertaken in Uttarakhand under the leadership of CM Dhami for the protection and preservation of Sanatan values. He said that strict action against what he described as the practices of ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’ and ‘spit jihad’, along with the implementation of the anti-conversion law, the Uniform Civil Code and the decision to abolish the Madrasa Board, had made Uttarakhand a model for the protection of Sanatan traditions.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Rupendra Prakash Maharaj said that the construction of the grand Ram Temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya after a wait of 500 years could become possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that those who had questioned the existence of Lord Ram continue to raise controversies over the Ram Temple and related arrangements. He described such elements as opponents of the Sanatan tradition. He further said that the seriousness shown by the Dhami Government towards the changing demographic situation in Uttarakhand and its efforts to preserve the ancient character and cultural heritage of Devbhoomi are highly commendable.
