Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, 5 October 2026, attended the inauguration of the newly constructed building of Shri Narayan Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Ayodhya, delivering a passionate defence of Sanskrit as a language with the enduring capacity to guide global knowledge and science.

Singh on Sanskrit's Global Potential

'Sanskrit has taken India's knowledge and science to great heights and still has the potential to guide the world,' Singh told the gathering. He described his affinity for the language as deep, even as he acknowledged limited personal expertise in it. He went further, asserting that Sanskrit is, in effect, the mathematical language of the world — a claim he said he could support with concrete examples.

Singh also invoked Vedic Mathematics, recounting his own background as a student of Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. 'As far as Vedic Mathematics is concerned, I can say that Vedic Mathematics is still unparalleled,' he said, drawing applause from the audience of scholars and educators.

A Policy Decision from 1991 That Still Pains Him

The Defence Minister recalled a decision he took during his tenure as Education Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1991, when he directed that a Hindi question paper — then split equally between Hindi and Sanskrit — be made entirely in Sanskrit and declared compulsory. The policy, however, was reversed by the subsequent government. 'That still pains me, and that is why I have come to this programme,' Singh said, offering a candid glimpse into the personal conviction behind his attendance at the event.

Ayodhya as Civilisational Consciousness

Moving beyond the academic, Singh offered a sweeping characterisation of Ayodhya itself. He said he does not view the city merely as a pilgrimage destination. 'Ayodhya is a consciousness in itself. Ayodhya is a culture in itself. Ayodhya is a civilisation in itself,' he said. Drawing on metaphor, he added: 'Just as the sun rises in the east and illuminates the entire world, in the same way, the light of dharma, justice and dignity has emanated from this city of Ayodhya and illuminated the whole of India and the entire world.'

The remarks position Ayodhya not merely as a religious site but as a civilisational reference point — a framing that has become more prominent in official discourse since the consecration of the Ram Mandir earlier in 2024.

Temple Visits and Prayers

Earlier in the day, Singh visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, sharing photographs on the social media platform X. He said he felt 'fortunate' after having darshan of Shri Ram Lalla and Shri Hanumanji and prayed for India's progress and the welfare of its people. He also visited Hanumangarhi and offered prayers there, participating in the Shri Guru Purnima Mahamahotsav during his stay in the temple town.

A Broader Appeal

Closing his address, Singh made what he called a 'humble request' to those present, urging reflection on the direction the country is being taken. 'This pain is in my heart; please think about it,' he said — a remark that, while unspecific, was widely read as a call to reaffirm India's classical intellectual heritage. The visit underscores a broader governmental narrative linking ancient Indian learning systems — Sanskrit, Vedic Mathematics, classical texts — to contemporary national identity.