Kolkata (West Bengal): The much-awaited Ram Temple 'Bhoomi Pujan' is to be held on Wednesday, but there is a silent history of sacrifice laid under the foundation stone of the Ayodhya Temple.
The sacrifice of two brothers from the Burrabazar area of Kolkata has been kept under the dark bylanes of Ayodhya for the last 30 years.
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The story of Ram Kumar and Sharad Kumar Kothari who lost their lives for the sake of Lord Rama came into the light after their sister Purnima Kothari got an invitation for the 'Bhoomi Pujan' event in Ram Janmabhoomi.
"The cause for which my brothers Ram Kumar and Sharad Kumar laid down their lives, is finally coming true," says Purnima.
Purnima recalled the days of September 1990, when the Kothari brothers got a call from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to take part in the Ram Mandir 'andolan'.
A rally, supported by BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani was to start from the Somnath Temple in Gujarat on September 15.
Both Ram Kumar Kothari (22) and Sharad Kumar Kothari (20) reached Ayodhya on October 30 to join the procession.
The Kar Sevaks had gathered at Hanuman Garhi and started a procession towards the disputed land. The Kothari brothers were leading from the front when police came to stop the rally.
"My brothers had waived the saffron flag while leading the October 30 procession. The police had targeted them since then", said Purnima.
Streaming through her memories, Purnima recalled the day when her 'Ram Bhakt' siblings faced a tragic end.
"On November 2, Ram and Sharad were singing a bhajan in an alley near Hanuman Garhi. The police came and ordered them to clear the area. An altercation broke out and police resorted to baton charge. Then came the firing. My brothers had taken refuge along with other Kar Sevaks in a nearby temple. They were hiding there when someone called out for water. Everyone thought that a fellow Kar Sevak was in distress. Sharad opened the temple door, only to be dragged out by the police. He was soon shot and was dragged along the alley. Ram came out to see what happened to his brother and the police also shot him. 16 Kar Sevaks were killed in police firing that day. My brothers also left us on that day,” recounted Purnima.
The Kothari brothers' bodies were recovered later from an alley near Hanuman Garhi. The alley of Ayodhya is still called the Martyr's Alley.
Expressing her pleasure for being invited to the historic event, Purnima said, "I am happy that after so many years and after what happened to my brothers, I will represent them in Ayodhya tomorrow".
