New Delhi: Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice Markandey Katju in an article published on Indicanews.com has slammed the fringe right-wing groups and people who compel minorities to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in India.

In the article titled “Lord Ram treated all citizens as his children” which was published on the website on Wednesday, Justice Katju has termed people “bigoted” who try to compel persons of the minorities to say Jai Shri Ram, a Hindu war cry.

“Some bigoted people try to forcibly compel persons of the minority community in India to say ‘Jai Shri Ram.' But do such people really know about Ram?” Justice Katju has questioned in the article.

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“If Ram had been the king of India today, he would have taken care of not only Hindus, but also Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others, and he would have severely punished those who oppressed or committed atrocities on minorities.” Justice Katju’s article read.

“Recently, some bigoted people have forced some members of the minority community to say ‘Jai Shri Ram’, and often beaten those who do not. These people have defamed Ram, who would never have approved of their actions, and would instead have punished them.” He further added.

“The misfortune is that most of these votaries of Lord Ram have not even read the original Ramayan of Valmiki, and they know little of his great qualities.”

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He has also recounted a part of Valmiki’s Ramayan when the King of Ayodhya Dashrath intended to hand over his throne to his eldest son Ram when he himself became old. “Before doing so, he invited Ayodhya’s citizens to weigh in on Ram being fit to be their next king.” It added.

“The citizens replied: “Oh king! We shall tell you the various virtues of your wise son, listen to them. His qualities are excellent. He is liked by all. He gives happiness to all.”

“Thus, far from being an oppressor, Ram was like a father to the people. A good father takes care of all his children. He is not selective. He does not take care of only some while oppressing others.” The article further added along with several other qualities of Ram the citizens counted before King Dashrath.

The original article can be read by clicking here.

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Amritsar, Mar 14 (PTI): A man wielding an iron rod went on an indiscriminate rampage on Friday here at Golden Temple, injuring two 'sewadars' and three devotees, police said.

The man was seen moving in the Guru Ramdas Niwas, also called Guru Ramdas Sarai, of the Golden Temple.

According to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Secretary Partap Singh, the man turned violent when asked about his antecedents and attacked the SGPC employees and the others.

Police said the man hailed from Haryana and was handed over to them by the SGPC after the incident.

The reason behind the attack is under investigation.

The three injured devotees had come to the temple from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala, while the other two were 'sewadars' of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), Partap Singh said.

One 'sewadar' and a devotee from Bathinda suffered severe head injuries.

The injured were rushed to Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital at Vallah in a critical condition.

Partap Singh said the attacker and an accomplice of his were apprehended and handed over to the police.

In his appeal to the government and law enforcement agencies, the SGPC Secretary called for no leniency in taking action against the perpetrators.