Why is it that liberals and their ilk shudder in fear during Ram Navmi every year?

On Sunday, the entire nation was celebrating Ram Navami. However, in JNU, there was a major incident of violence. Violent clashes broke out between two groups of students on the University campus over serving non-vegetarian food in a hostel while the other group organised a havan on the festival.

Then, there were some incidents of communal clashes in four states of the country. And this is not an aberration. Such incidents of violence have been witnessed in the past too. Meanwhile, the liberals were found blaming ‘provocative songs’ played by Hindus during celebratory processions. Liberals clearly shuddered in fear due to Ram Navami. But why?

The image of a tolerant, silent Hindu

Before understanding why liberals hate Ram Navami, let’s understand how they want Hindus to be.

The liberals have traditionally used a template to describe the Hindus. They see the Hindu Kingdoms of the past as those who believed in peace and tolerance, who neither extended their borders and territories nor did they try to propagate their religion in other parts of the world.

They also propagate that modern Hindus do not wear their religion on their sleeves. And again, Hindus are expected to be subdued, silent and highly tolerant. They are also expected not to publicly profess or propagate their faith. This is the definition of a good Hindu in a liberal’s mind.

Who is Bhagwan Ram?

This is the other question you must consider- who is Bhagwan Ram? Well, he is Raja Ram- the rightful King of the land. Bhagwan Ram, therefore, occupies a central position in Hindu tradition and his status as Raja Ram is at the core of the Hindu faith.

This is the reason why the idea of ‘Ram Rajya’ also becomes very popular. And this is exactly why the Ayodhya movement had gained pace too. Hindus hold the status of Raja Ram in high regard and are not very shy about admitting it. This goes against the template that the liberals had set for them.

Ram Navami and Jai Shri Ram

Now, let us consider another question- what is the core of Bhagwan Ram’s personality? The mainstream, liberal ideology would give you different answers which generally revolve around his benevolence.

However, what really describes Bhagwan Ram is the fact that he killed Ravana, the Asura who ruled Sri Lanka. So, he is someone who destroyed a tyrant’s regime and eradicated injustice.

So, when Bhagwan Ram’s bhakts chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on Ram Navami, they do not maintain the template of a subdued, silent Hindu. They actually assert their identity and the liberals don’t fathom that.

Jai Shri Ram literally means glory to Bhagwan Ram. However, it was the war-cry of the Vanar Sena that demolished the demonic kingdom of Lanka. This was also the slogan that the people of Ayodhya chanted when they welcomed the return of their King.

So, you can now decode why the liberals hate Ram Navami. What they hate is the fact how Hindus suddenly wear their religion on their sleeves and chant Jai Shri Ram in unison. It is the only time when Hindus assert their religious identity and the liberals, therefore, shudder in fear.