India president Murmu writes to Modi on eve of Ram temple opening: 'With each step taken by you...'

INDIAN president Droupadi Murmu penned a note to prime minister Narendra Modi on the eve of the consecration ceremony at Ram temple which was set to happen amid mega celebrations on Monday (22). In her letter, she expressed "heartfelt wishes" and called the event an uninhibited expression of the country's soul.

Modi acknowledged the note saying on X, "Thank you very much for your good wishes on the auspicious occasion of Ram Lala's life consecration in Ayodhya Dham. I am confident that this historic moment will further enrich Indian heritage and culture and take our development journey to new heights."

There was, however, no confirmation whether the president, the second woman to occupy the top office, will take part in the consecration ceremony even though she was formally invited a week ago. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president, was hosting the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar event to honour 19 children for lifetime achievements on Monday.

“As you prepare yourself to go for the Pran Pratishtha of Prabhu Shri Ram’s murti at the new temple built in His birthplace, Ayodhya Dham, I can only contemplate the unique civilisational journey that will be accomplished with each step taken by you in the hallowed precincts,” Murmu said in her letter that also mentioned about the “11-day rigorous anushthan” that Modi has undertook ahead of the ceremony.

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“As you head to Ayodhya Dham, I send my heartfelt wishes to you,” the note said, calling the buzz around the inauguration an uninhibited expression of “the eternal soul of India”.

The president also added, “We all are fortunate to witness the commencement of a new cycle in the resurgence of our nation.”

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“Prabhu Shri Ram signifies the best aspects of our cultural and spiritual heritage,” the letter said, “Above all, he represents the good which is in constant battle with evil”. His life and principles have influenced many episodes of our history and inspired nation builders. Mahatma Gandhi Ji derived strength from Ramanama till his last breath," it added.

The president also spoke about Lord Ram's message of treating everybody with affection and dignity, irrespective of the social background, and how it appealed to the thinking of path-breaking thinkers.

Murmu also mentioned Lord Ram’s message of treating everyone with love and dignity, irrespective of their social background, and how it also appealed to the intellect of path-breaking thinkers.

The Hindu right-wing Vishwa Hindu Parishad said in a statement that Murmu will soon decide the time to visit Ayodhya.

Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) had demanded that Murmu be asked to perform the consecration ceremony calling it a matter of "national pride" and pertained to the nation's "self respect".

The president is the constitutional head of the Republic of India.