AYODHYA: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, marking a significant moment in the country’s political and religious landscape. The 50-meter tall temple, dedicated to the deity Ram, stands on grounds where a mosque once stood before being demolished in 1992, triggering religious riots and reshaping India’s political dynamics.
For Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the temple’s opening is a milestone in a long-standing campaign to align governance with the majority Hindu faith. The BJP has been instrumental in elevating Hinduism in public life since coming to power, with Ayodhya playing a crucial role in their narrative. Devout Hindus believe Ram was born in Ayodhya over 7,000 years ago, and the BJP campaigned for the mosque’s demolition, arguing it was built over Ram’s birthplace.
The construction of the temple, costing around $240 million sourced from public donations, is seen as a symbol of cultural nationalism by the BJP. Modi’s consecration at the temple aligns with his image as a defender of the faith, strategically timed ahead of the upcoming general election expected in April. The BJP, favored to win a third successive victory, has successfully appealed to Hindu sentiment under Modi’s leadership.
The temple’s opening has sparked enthusiasm among the Hindu faithful, evident in saffron flags depicting Ram across the country. However, India’s Muslim minority, numbering 200 million, views the event with trepidation, given the historical violence in Ayodhya. Many Muslim residents fear that the temple’s inauguration will revive painful memories of the bloodshed and destruction during past communal clashes.
While the temple opening symbolizes a cultural and religious triumph for some, it underscores deep-seated communal tensions, prompting concerns about the impact on social harmony in India.
