Ayodhya religious leaders hail Modi's 12-year tenure, Ram Temple legacy
Synopsis
As Modi's government marks 12 years in power, religious leaders in Ayodhya — including Padma Bhushan awardee Sadhvi Ritambhara — credited him with the Ram Temple construction and Article 370 abrogation. Karpatri Maharaj went further, comparing the PM to Rishi Vishwamitra, while Ritambhara renewed calls for a national cow slaughter ban — a demand that remains unlegislated at the Centre.
Key Takeaways
Sadhvi Ritambhara and Karpatri Maharaj praised PM Modi in Ayodhya as his government completed 12 years in office on 28 May .
Sadhvi Ritambhara , a Padma Bhushan awardee, called the Ram Temple construction one of Modi's biggest achievements.
She renewed the demand for a national ban on cow slaughter and for Gau Mata to be declared Rashtra Mata .
Karpatri Maharaj described Modi's tenure as 'commendable', citing the Ram Temple and removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir .
Karpatri Maharaj compared PM Modi to Rishi Vishwamitra , expressing hope that he continues on the same path.
Religious leaders in Ayodhya on 28 May lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his government marked 12 years in office, citing the construction of the Ram Temple, the abrogation of Article 370, and India's rising global stature as defining milestones of his leadership.
Sadhvi Ritambhara's Remarks
Padma Bhushan awardee Sadhvi Ritambhara described the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as one of the most significant achievements of the Modi-led government. She credited the administration with completing several long-pending works during its tenure. Beyond governance, she also raised the issue of cow protection, calling for legislative action. 'We want cow slaughter to be banned and Gau Mata to be declared the Rashtra Mata,' she asserted. 'The country has moved forward a lot in the last 12 years,' she added.
Karpatri Maharaj on India's Global Standing
Hindu religious leader Karpatri Maharaj described Prime Minister Modi's tenure as 'commendable', pointing to decisions such as the Ram Temple and the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir as evidence of strong and decisive leadership. He said India is now progressing and earning greater respect internationally. According to him, the Prime Minister handled several complex national issues with wisdom.
A Scriptural Comparison
Karpatri Maharaj drew a comparison between Prime Minister Modi and the revered sage Rishi Vishwamitra from Hindu scriptures, saying that just as Vishwamitra guided and supported Lord Ram, Modi is working with a similar vision and dedication for the nation. He expressed hope that Modi would continue on this path so that India keeps benefiting from his leadership and commitment to national growth.
Context and Significance
The praise from Ayodhya's religious community comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government completes its 12th year in power — a milestone the ruling party has marked with events across the country. The Ram Temple inauguration in January 2024 and the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 remain two of the most politically resonant decisions of the Modi era, drawing both widespread support among Hindu groups and sustained criticism from opposition parties. Notably, the demand for a national ban on cow slaughter — reiterated by Sadhvi Ritambhara — has been a recurring ask from sections of the Hindutva movement and has not yet been enacted at the central level.
Point of View
And its delivery has cemented loyalty among Hindu religious groups. What is worth watching is Sadhvi Ritambhara's reiteration of the cow slaughter ban demand: it signals that Hindutva constituencies see the anniversary as a moment to press unfinished agenda items. The Centre has not moved on a national ban, and the political calculus — balancing Hindu nationalist sentiment with federal constraints and economic realities — remains as complicated as ever. The Vishwamitra comparison by Karpatri Maharaj reflects the deepening of a religio-nationalist framing around Modi's leadership, a narrative the BJP has not discouraged.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did religious leaders in Ayodhya praise PM Modi on 28 May 2025?
Religious leaders gathered in Ayodhya to mark the completion of 12 years of the Modi-led government, citing milestones such as the Ram Temple construction and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as defining achievements of his tenure.
What did Sadhvi Ritambhara say about PM Modi?
Sadhvi Ritambhara, a Padma Bhushan awardee, called the Ram Temple in Ayodhya one of the biggest achievements of the Modi government. She also renewed the demand for a national ban on cow slaughter and for Gau Mata to be declared Rashtra Mata.
What did Karpatri Maharaj say about PM Modi's global image?
Karpatri Maharaj described Modi's tenure as 'commendable' and said India's image has grown stronger globally, with many countries viewing Modi as a trusted friend and global leader. He compared the Prime Minister to Rishi Vishwamitra from Hindu scriptures.
Has the government enacted a national cow slaughter ban as demanded by Sadhvi Ritambhara?
No. A national ban on cow slaughter has not been enacted at the central level, though several states have their own cattle protection laws. Sadhvi Ritambhara's reiteration of the demand signals it remains an active ask from sections of the Hindutva movement.
What are the key decisions highlighted by religious leaders from Modi's 12-year tenure?
The two most prominently cited decisions were the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya — inaugurated in January 2024 — and the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, both described as long-pending national aspirations fulfilled under Modi's leadership.
