Muslim poet composes ghazal on Lord Ram, wins PM Modi’s praise

A Muslim poet from Bhopal, Anjum Barabankvi, composed a ghazal in praise of Lord Ram, and it has received appreciation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commending the gesture, PM Modi sent a letter to Barabankvi, expressing his gratitude for the composition.

In his letter, the Prime Minister remarked that efforts by countrymen like him are making the nation proud and will help elevate it to new heights.

“With a sense of pride in our rich heritage, we are moving towards building a grand and developed India in the Amrit Kaal. I am confident that the efforts being made by countrymen like you will take the nation to new heights,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi also praised Barabankvi for expressing his devotion to Lord Ram through his ghazal, composed to mark the first anniversary of the Pran-Pratishtha at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Speaking to India Today, Barabankvi, who is originally from UP’s Awadh, said that Lord Ram has had a profound influence on his life since childhood, as the ideals he embodied remain unparalleled–whether as a son, a brother, a husband, a hermit during his 14-year exile, a king, or a father.

“Shri Ram exemplifies the ideal brother, son, and husband–his character sets the standard for what one should admire in a man. That is why every man sees a reflection of himself in him. There is something so compelling about his character that draws you in, making it impossible to speak a word against him,” he said.

When asked about the possibility of opposition from community leaders over writing a ghazal on the Hindu god, Barabankvi said that even if a fatwa were issued against him for composing a ghazal on Shri Ram, it would not affect him.

He asserted that today’s climate often leads to backlash when phrases like Vande Mataram are uttered, but he emphasised that he was raised in a way that never made him hesitate to say Vande Mataram. He expressed confidence that the situation would soon change again.

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