BJP's Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Subramanian Swamy said that he does not agree with the idea that Brahmins are born, the concept of Dvija. "You have to get and learn the Sanskar of a Brahmin before you are even called a Brahmin," said Dr Subramaniam Swamy, talking about how Ram has been a significant influence on India's culture and the building of the Ram Mandir. He was speaking at The New Indian Express' series of webinars e-expressions.
Dvija in Sanskrit means twice-born. In the Hindu social system, members of the three upper varnas, or social classes — the Bramhins (priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors), and Vaishyas (merchants) — whose sacrament of initiation is regarded as a second or spiritual birth.
Speaking about the Ram temple being built finally, Swami said that it was Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao who laid the foundations for building the temple. "It was Ashok Singal's agitation too, he, by the way, called a press conference in 2015 and said in his lifetime Ram Temple is not coming. Then in front of all the office bearers of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, he said I am giving it to Dr Swamy because he saved Ram Setu and he will get the Ram Temple built. I did it only for him, I don't mind if I am invited or not, my work and my commitment to Ashok Singal is now over," he added.
As the foundation is set for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, TNIE Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla debated the origins of the deep-rooted issue and how it will impact our culture with Dr Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP, Prof Kapil Kapoor, Chairman, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and Dr Kuldeep Ratnoo, Director, India Policy Foundation.
