Modi government working towards establishing ‘Ram Rajya’: Adityanath

Ayodhya, Oct 18 (IANS) Hosting grand Diwali festivities at Ayodhya, said to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is striving to establish "Ram Rajya" in the country.

Addressing a gathering here, Adityanath assured the people that all their "dreams will be fulfilled" but they will have to wait for some time, though he did not make any direct reference to the proposed Ram temple in the town.

"Sri Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana, who was the epitome of terror at that time, and defeating all the demons and he emerged as the inspiration for all humankind. But this does not happen suddenly," the Chief Minister said, in an apparent comparison of the opposition with Ravana, the symbol of evil.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is striving to take the country in that direction.

"Every family having a roof over their heads, employment, power connection and LPG in their kitchen that has been provided by Prime Minister -- is Ram Rajya," Adityanath said.

He said that earlier there was discrimination in the allocation of development projects but that has ended now.

"Your sentiments are being honoured one by one, all the work is being done. You will have to join in that ambition. If you have power, you can do anything. The power will be that of development...Rest assured, your dream of Ram Rajya will be realised," Adityanath said.

"We want to give an India that is free of terrorism and Naxalism, where there is no discrimination in the name of caste, creed, language or region and there is no appeasement," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister along with his entire cabinet and Governor Ram Naik and Union MoS for Tourism K.J. Alphons, took part on the first day of the grand Deepotsav celebrations here.

Earlier, the dignitaries garlanded actors portraying the roles of Ram, Sita and Lakshman who alighted from a helicopter, in a symbolism for the "pushpak vimaan" -- a mythological aerial chariot in which Lord Ram is said to have travelled back to Ayodhya from Lanka.

Nearly two lakh earthen lamps were lighted in Ayodhya to commemorate Lord Rama's homecoming after 14 years in exile.

Adityanath said that Ayodhya will be developed as a hub of tourism, adding that tourism projects worth Rs 135 crore have been initiated in the city by the Union Tourism Ministry.