In a momentous event that has captured the attention of the nation, Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated the long-awaited Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India. This temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Ram, is being hailed as a symbol of India’s pride and cultural reawakening. However, it is not without its fair share of controversy.
Adityanath, a controversial monk-turned-politician, addressed thousands of guests gathered outside the Ram Mandir, proclaiming it as India’s “national temple” and a testament to the resolve and faith of the Indian society. He stated, “Indian society maintained restraint, but the resolve for a temple kept growing stronger. Now everyone wants to come to Ayodhya. This is the victory of public faith and public trust, the re-establishment of India’s pride… The establishment of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is an important ritual of cultural reawakening of India. This is a national temple.”
Adityanath’s appointment as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017 raised eyebrows among experts who saw it as a reflection of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Hindutva ideology. The BJP aims to make secular India a land dominated by Hindus. Adityanath’s tenure has been marked by polarizing policies rooted in this ideology. The state has passed legislation protecting cows, considered sacred by Hindus, from slaughter and imposing stricter regulations on cattle transportation.
The construction of the Ram Temple has been a longstanding demand of Hindu nationalists, and Adityanath has been a vocal advocate for its realization. He attended the consecration ceremony inside the temple, further cementing his association with this significant event.
The significance of the Ram Temple extends beyond political figures like Adityanath. Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the right-wing parent organization of the BJP, declared the temple as a symbol of a new India that will stand tall. In his speech, Bhagwat proclaimed, “It has been said, and we know, that today in Ayodhya, along with Lord Ram, India’s self has returned.”
The inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya represents a momentous occasion for India. It is a testament to the faith and resolve of the Indian society, as well as a reflection of the BJP’s Hindutva ideology. While it is celebrated as a symbol of national pride and cultural reawakening, it is not without controversy. The polarizing figure of Yogi Adityanath and the policies rooted in Hindutva ideology have added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the temple. Nevertheless, the temple stands tall as a significant landmark in India’s history and cultural heritage.
