On Wednesday, Prime Minister hailed Lord Ram from the podium in Ayodhya with ‘Jai Siya Ram’ instead of the popular ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
In his speech, Prime Minister said,
“First let us remember Lord Ram and Mata Janki… Siyavar Ram Chandra Ki Jai… Jai Siya Ram.”
Ever since the Ram Temple movement was launched in the year 1984, the phrase ‘Jai Shri Ram’ has been the most popular among the kar sevaks. Slowly and steadily, ‘Jai Siya Ram’ was being echoed by many and according to them, ‘Jai Shri Ram’ was militarized and had become a war-cry which took away the benevolence and of the movement. They also believed that ‘Jai Siya Ram’ perfectly represents the character of Lord Ram and also the softness and humility with which he fought in his life.
According to Mahant Girishpati Tripathi of the Tewari Mandir,
“Jai Shri Ram speaks for a sense of fearlessness while ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is filled with regard for others. Both indicated a commitment to a cause but while ‘Jai Shri Ram’ was filled with belligerence, the driving sentiment in ‘Jai Siya Ram’ is love and submission.”
‘There Is No Much Difference’
Some of them believe that there is no much difference between the two phrases. As per Hriday Narain Dixit, the speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha,
“There is not much difference between ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Jai Siya Ram’… Both are ways to remember the deity. Also, Mata Sita is seen as an incarnation of the Lakshmi who is also known as Shri… So what’s the difference? In Vinay Patrika, Tulsidas Ji has said that the name of Ram is bigger than him. The important fact is that people are remembering Ram either way. Also, I would say that Jaki Rahi Bhavana Jaisi, Prabhu Murat Daikhi Tin Taisi… meaning one’s feeling decides way one sees the Lord.”
The choice of the phrase by the Prime Minister sends out a message that the movement that started in 1984 has been accomplished. According to Professor Manoj Dixit,
“Before 1984, there wasn’t much difference between Jai Shri Ram and Jai Siya Ram. But thereafter, Jai Shri Ram became synonymous with a movement and the assertion of people associated with it. Now that the objective that has been met, Prime Minister subtly indicated mellowing down should be the norm.”
Source: Times of India
