Jai Siya Ram (or Jai Siyaram) is a Hindi expression, translating as "Victory to
Sita and
Rama".[1] Siya is a regional variant of Sita.[2] Sociologist
Jan Breman states that it was used as "a greeting of welcome in the countryside since time immemorial".[3]
Jai Siya Ram is used while worshipping Rama and Sita. It is often used during the recital of
Ramayana,
Ramcharitmanas, especially the
Sundara Kanda.[4][5] Many devotional songs with the theme Jai Siya Ram have been sung by singers such as
Jagjit Singh,
Mohammed Rafi, among others.[6][7][8] Similar songs have been sung in various regional languages.[9] The chants of Jai Siya Ram are very common in religious places and gatherings, for example, the
Kumbh Mela.[10][11]
In politics
On 5 August 2020, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi started his
Ram Mandir ground breaking ceremony speech with Jai Siyaram.[12][13][14] He also urged the attendees to chant Jai Siyaram.[15] Modi also said, "The call of Jai Siya Ram is resonating not only in the city of Lord Ram but throughout the world today. I express gratitude to all citizens of this nation, Indian diaspora across the world and all the devotees of Lord Ram on this pious occasion."[16]
Priyanka Gandhi also used the expression in a tweet related to Ram Mandir on 4 August 2020.[17]
British Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak used the phrase at an event in 2023, while talking of his Hindu faith.[18][19]
Other uses
Slogans of Jai Siya Ram had also been chanted in the Supreme Court in 1992 by
Vishva Hindu Parishad.[20]
Each stanza of the
Punjabi folk song, "Expectation of Today's Wife", starts with the line Jai Siya Ram, Jai Jai Siya Ram.[21] During riots in Jaipur in the 1990s, the phrase was used to indicate that one is a
Hindu.[22]