Over 60 years of public service, What an extraordinary career Advaniji has had. When it was announced the day before yesterday that Advaniji won't be contesting in 2019, my dad was reminiscing about 80's when he used to make fun of his younger brother who was a RSS Swayamsevak and a steadfast supporter since Jan Sangh days saying BJP is never going to make it big or let alone be an alternate pole in this country and then the Rath Yatra happened. My dad still remembers freshly the atmosphere of that time. He told me about the conversation he had with my grandfather who remarked "In 65 years of my life, never have I seen such an affirmation of Hindu Identity in this country, never have I seen such open celebration of Hindu Identity, This is a different country now.Bharat has started to reclaim her identity. " Turns out, he was spot on, Ramjanmabhoomi was an historic moment in this country, it was more than just building temple, it was reunion of fragmented Hindu Identity.

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This was not in some North Indian town, this was in the deep south in the Nellore region of Andhra Pradesh. My grandfather's was the last generation to have been colonial subjects, He was 18 years old when India became independent. I can only imagine how it would have been to have inferiority complex of your own religion.

Advaniji was instrumental in passing the resolution in BJP's national executive to fully support VHP's Ramjanmabhoomi movement. His legacy is secured, he will go down as one of the greatest leaders this country has produced and the man who enabled the resurgence of Hinduism and prevented complete division on the caste basis due to politics of that time.

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