India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is vying for a rare third term in office, and he appears to be hoping that the inauguration of a highly contested temple in Ayodhya will secure his victory. The temple, which has become a symbol of his party's Hindu nationalist movement, is set to be unveiled on Monday in a grand ceremony presided over by Modi himself.
The city of Ayodhya is buzzing with preparations for the event, with saffron-colored decorations adorning the streets. Thousands of people, including 90-year-old Urmila Chandravanshi, have traveled long distances to witness the inauguration of the Ram Temple. Urmila credits Modi for making this long-awaited temple a reality and expresses her excitement to be there.
The construction of the Ram Temple has been a central project for right-wing Hindu nationalist organizations and Modi's political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, for many years. The temple is built on the site where a 16th-century mosque, the Babri Masjid, once stood. The demolition of the mosque by a Hindu nationalist mob in 1992 sparked widespread communal violence, resulting in the loss of over 2,000 lives.
While many Hindus believe the site to be the birthplace of Lord Ram and see the temple inauguration as a historic moment, for others, it has reopened old wounds. Mohammad Aziz, a Muslim who lost his father in the riots that followed the mosque's destruction, watches the celebrations from a distance, still haunted by the painful memories of that time.
The opening of the temple has raised concerns about the intermingling of politics and religion in India. Critics argue that the boundaries between religion and the state have become blurred, with the Prime Minister actively participating in a purely religious event with full government support. This has led to fears that the secular fabric of the country, the largest democracy in the world, may further erode.
However, the construction and inauguration of the Ram Temple undoubtedly strengthen Modi's image as a Hindu nationalist leader. The project has been a long-standing promise of his party, and its fulfillment just before the election year serves as a significant achievement for Modi as he seeks a historic third term in office.
It is important to note that the Supreme Court of India ruled in 2019 in favor of allotting the site to Hindus, deeming the demolition of the mosque illegal. While this decision was based on legal grounds, it has raised concerns about the impact on religious harmony and the secular ideals that India upholds.
As the nation eagerly awaits the inauguration of the Ram Temple, the event holds far-reaching implications for both Modi's political future and the delicate balance between religion and state in India. Whether it will unite or further divide the diverse population of this vast country remains to be seen.
