The concept of “ramrajya” has always resonated with the common people of India. The “ramrajya” is generally considered as the rule of Lord Rama and is often considered as the most indefectible form of administration. During the time of independence, the same concept was coined by the Mahatma Gandhi while he was visualizing the future India ruled by Indians.
The system of “ramrajya” can be defined as a system of administration or governance which is based on genuine principles. When Mahatma Gandhi was referring to “ramrajya”, he was talking about the democratic system where the rulers will rule for the pleasure of people. The system where equal rights will prevail for everyone, irrespective of class, and violence cannot be a medium to achieve justice.
Despite seeing “ramrajya” as monarchy, Ram formulated his principles of governance based on the will of the people. The era of “ramrajya” was considered the most perfect because every person, irrespective of any categor,y adheres the rule of dharma and hence lived in peace and harmony. In simple terms, the entire concept of “ramrajya” is centered on good governance. But, in today,s perspective, the goals of “ramrajya” is shifting to other sides which is somehow fading the concept of good governance. Recently, the adoption and appropriation of the “Ayodhya” politics by few political class for the last few decades has developed a narrative where the concept is revolving around the temple for Ram, not the governance principles designed by Ram. Maybe, the politics in the name of “ramrajya” for the creation of temple can sustain and uphold the faith of a religious class in Ram but simply talking about temple leaving the core principles of Rama administration will only bring “ramrajya” in a symbolic way. Ramrajya is an ideal concept of governance but the problem arises when few outfits constantly try to shift the goal post of “ramrajya” from governance to government formation. When Mahatma Gandhi referred to “ramrajya”, he talked about efficient governance, not the government formation and he kept this concept away from the shadow of religion. Today, many try to link “ramrajya” with “Hindu Rajya” which is purely irrelevant because the idea of “ramrajya” was founded on the principles of rule of law, not on the rule of any religion principles. At a time, when “ramrajya” is becoming a tool for the political class to garner votes then it becomes important to preserves the basic ideals and essentials of “ramrajya”. Besides propagating the “ramrajya” in the form of temple creation, there is also a need to propagate and implement the principles too in governance. The question also arises when we will embrace the cause of Dharma on earth and give up the conflict and duality caused by adharma which “ramrajya” talks about. In today’s context to “ramrajya” we definitely need a new ideal of the concept to fight the many new “adharmis” of corruption, manipulation and unsocial elements which seems to have prevailed these days. The politics on Ram Temple can be one of the essentials of “ramrajya” in terms of belief and faith but in terms of administration – justice, respect, and non-coercion are important and as of now, the administration part can be implemented without any delay.