We were deeply honoured to meet Smt. Purnima Kothari Ji, sister of the late Kothari brothers who were the first to hoist the flag on the dilapidated structure and were targeted and brutally killed by the state-sponsored massacre in the 1992 Ayodhya movement. On 25th January 2024 day 4 of the Prana Pratishta we met her in the Pandol in Ram Janmabhoomi doing service to everyone who walked in. She elaborated on how her brothers were brutally massacred. Shri Pradeep Gupta Ji senior Sangh pracharak was effectively managing the service in the Pandol and recalled his days during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. They elaborated how they were distributing food, Chai, snacks, and warm clothing all needy from the 14th of January till 25th January 2024. All the safai karma chari (sanitation workers), police and security personnel to the simple devotee, who has travelled 1000s of km to take a Darshan of Ram Lalla were welcomed and treated with great hospitality in the Kothari Brothers pandol. So unassuming and so simple Smt Purnima Kothari Ji's sacrifice and life must be an inspiration to all.

The Kothari brothers - Shaheed Sharad Kothari & Shaheed Ram Kothari have been revered figures for their unique sacrifice and keeping the flame alive for over 22 years for 80s kids like me. No words can do justice to the supreme sacrifice of the brothers. It's a fulfilling movement on one hand but sad to think that we have been treated as 8th-class citizens in our own land.

Perhaps the price we pay for peace is costly.

Dharma ultimately prevails.

Jai Siya Ram

|| Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah ||

Grandson, Husband and Father of Two, S Jaganathan - is the Founder of The Verandah Club. Convenor INTACH Coimbatore Chapter. He is an avid traveller, interested in trendspotting and a firm believer in the philosophy - Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah.