Today marked a historic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ram Mandir with state-sponsored fanfare in Ayodhya, India. The temple, hailed as the holiest site for Hindus worldwide, has been a contentious issue dating back to the 16th-century Babri Masjid, which was demolished in 1992 by a Hindutva-infused right-wing mob.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right-wing Hindu group, expressed the temple’s significance, declaring it as “our Vatican City.” Sharad Sharma, VHP spokesperson, stated, “After 500 years of Hindu oppression, Lord Ram will finally be returned to Ayodhya.”
The inauguration ceremony drew a massive attendance, with Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, politicians, and leading businessmen gracing the occasion. However, the newly commissioned airport in Ayodhya reflects the growing anticipation and significance of the site. Security measures were heightened, and concerns about violence prompted Muslim residents to send their children and women to neighboring towns.
The construction of the temple is a stark reminder of the Babri Masjid’s demolition in 1992, triggering riots that claimed over three thousand lives. The mosque, built in 1527 by Mughal Emperor Babur, stood as a rare surviving example of early Mughal Empire architecture. Muslims worshipped in the mosque for over 300 years before its destruction.
Dr. Audrey Truschke, summarizing the history, noted, “Hindu nationalist attempts to rectify perceived historical wrongs” have persisted since the 1850s, fueled by the belief that Lord Ram was born at the mosque’s location. However, these claims have not stood up to historical scrutiny.
The Supreme Court of India, despite acknowledging the destruction of the mosque as an “egregious violation of the rule of law,” ruled in favor of building a Hindu temple on its ruins. Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone in August 2020, framing the event as a divine moment.
While some see the inauguration as a significant religious milestone, The Guardian suggests a political undercurrent. With general elections approaching in April, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is accused of exploiting religious sentiments to secure a third term. Modi’s declaration that God had chosen him as a representative of all Indians is met with skepticism, as many view the Ram Mandir as a monument built after the forceful demolition of the Babri Masjid.
As the inauguration concludes, the grandeur of the Ram Mandir contrasts sharply with the lingering controversies surrounding its construction, leaving the nation at a crossroads of religious celebration and political scrutiny.
