Rath Yatra to Bharat Ratna: Remarkable journey of Lal Krishna Advani​

PM Modi announced the prestigious Bharat Ratna award for veteran BJP leader LK Advani on Saturday. Advani played a pivotal role in shaping the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 90s and leading it to significant success in national politics.

LK Advani, who served as the BJP president for an extended period, contributed significantly to the party's growth. Under his leadership, the BJP witnessed a remarkable rise from 2 Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to 120 seats in 1991.

Advani served as the deputy prime minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, holding crucial ministries. His strategic leadership played a key role in building the BJP's political fortunes, guiding it to power at the center.

A key architect of the Ram Mandir movement, Advani's Rath Yatra for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya was a turning point in the long-standing struggle. His efforts contributed to the eventual consecration ceremony held in January 2022.

Advani's Rath Yatra began in September 1990 from Somnath in Gujarat, covering hundreds of villages and cities. He traveled extensively, addressing multiple public rallies daily, making it one of the BJP's biggest mass mobilisation programs.

Advani's Rath Yatra faced a significant moment when he was arrested by then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in October 1990. The event had a profound impact, propelling the BJP to the center stage of national politics.

Advani's article, 'Shri Ram Mandir: Fulfilment of a Divine Dream,' emphasized that the Ram Janmbhoomi movement became a symbol of reclaiming true secularism from pseudo-secularism. It triggered a significant debate on genuine secularism.

Advani asserted that the Ram Janmbhoomi movement marked a watershed moment in post-1947 India. He expressed humility in fulfilling a pivotal duty through the Ram Rath Yatra, contributing to the eventual construction of the Ram Temple.

Advani's vision and determination for a befitting temple for Shri Ram in Ayodhya ultimately became a reality. His legacy includes steering the BJP through transformative times and being a central figure in the historic Ram Mandir movement.