Controversy Surrounds Incomplete Inauguration of Ayodhya Hindu Temple
AYODHYA, India—Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s highly anticipated inauguration of the new Hindu temple in Ayodhya has been marred by controversy as the complex remains unfinished. The incomplete state of the temple has disappointed many devotees who had traveled from far and wide to witness this historic event.
The temple is being constructed on the site where the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century Muslim temple, once stood. Its demolition in 1992 by a right-wing mob of Hindus led to violent riots and the loss of thousands of lives, mostly Muslims. The replacement of the Muslim holy site with a grand celebration of Hinduism has been seen as a blow to India’s Islamic minority and a testament to Modi’s championing of Hindutva, the ideology that seeks to establish India as a Hindu nation.
Despite the ongoing construction at the site, fervent Hindus from all over India have been visiting Ayodhya with unwavering enthusiasm. However, their excitement turns to concern when they realize that the temple is not yet complete. Ravi Kanth Tiwari, who played a role in organizing the mob that demolished the Babri Masjid, expressed his disappointment at the partially constructed temple.
The construction workers are working tirelessly in shifts to meet the deadline for the inauguration. However, it is estimated that the entire temple complex will not be completed until 2027. While much of the media and Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrate the new temple, some religious Hindus, including the heads of four Hindu monasteries, have chosen not to attend the inauguration.
The inauguration of the Ram Mandir holds immense significance for Modi and his BJP government. It symbolizes an ideological triumph and is strategically timed to coincide with the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2024, where Modi hopes to secure a historic third term in office. The event is seen as a way to consolidate the support of the Hindu majority, who make up 80 percent of the country’s population.
Efforts are being made to mobilize a substantial segment of Hindus for the inauguration, with special trains and buses arranged and screenings planned across the country and at Indian embassies worldwide. The right-wing Hindu nationalist organization RSS, which played a crucial role in launching Modi’s political career, is actively rallying Hindus through social media platforms to showcase Modi’s commitment to the construction of the temple.
While the inauguration of the Ram Mandir is a cause for celebration among Hindus, it has instilled fear among the Muslim minority communities residing near Ayodhya. The rapid transformation of the city and the desecration of a nearby mosque have heightened tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Many Muslims feel marginalized and treated as second-class citizens within a more segregated framework.
The construction of the Ram Mandir and the revocation of Article 370, which granted semi-autonomy to Indian Administered Kashmir, were both fiercely opposed by India’s Muslim community. These initiatives have further polarized the country along religious lines and disrupted the longstanding commitment to secularism.
Critics argue that the construction of the Ram Mandir serves as a symbol of injustice against Muslims and aims to bolster the Hindu vote bank for political parties involved in the exercise. The incomplete inauguration of the temple has only added fuel to this controversy.
As Ayodhya prepares for the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, it is clear that this event carries immense political significance for Modi and his government. However, it also highlights the deep divisions within Indian society and raises questions about the erosion of secularism in a country known for its religious diversity. Only time will tell what impact this incomplete inauguration will have on India’s political landscape and its religious minorities.
