Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a controversial Hindu temple on the site of a razed mosque in Ayodhya, India on January 22, 2024. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, a Hindu deity worshipped by millions of Hindus. The construction of the temple has been a long-standing issue in India, with the site being a source of tension between Hindus and Muslims for decades.
The mosque was demolished in 1992 by Hindu nationalists, leading to riots that killed thousands of people. The inauguration of the temple is seen as a major political move by Modi ahead of the upcoming elections. In his speech, Modi hailed the temple as a symbol of a “new divine India” and said that it would be a witness to India’s progress and the golden age of the country’s development.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by thousands of religious leaders, politicians, Bollywood actors, and billionaire business leaders. However, several Hindu opposition political parties, including the Indian National Congress, stayed away from the inauguration, accusing Modi of politicizing a religious event. The decision to inaugurate the partially opened structure early, ahead of the summer elections, was criticized by Modi’s opponents. The structure is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The temple, located at one of India’s most vexed religious sites, is expected to buoy Modi’s chances of returning to power by drawing on the religious sentiments of who make up 80% of India’s population of 1.4 billion. The inauguration of the temple marks the culmination of a decades-long dispute over a site that Hindus consider to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The destruction of the mosque in 1992 boosted the electoral fortunes of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, now led by Modi.
The inauguration of the temple has been met with mixed reactions. While many Hindus have welcomed the move, some Muslims and secularists have criticized it as a blow to India’s secular fabric. The decision to build the temple on the site of a razed mosque has been a source of tension between Hindus and Muslims for decades. The inauguration of the temple is seen as a major political move by Modi ahead of the upcoming elections.
In his speech, Modi said that the temple would be a symbol of unity and harmony in India. “This temple will be a symbol of our ancient culture, our devotion, and our national pride. It will also be a symbol of unity and harmony in India. It will inspire us to work towards the progress and development of our country,” he said.
The inauguration of the temple is a significant moment in India’s history, showing the extent to which the line between religion and state has eroded under Modi. The temple is expected to play a major role in the upcoming elections, with Modi hoping to draw on the religious sentiments of the majority Hindu population to secure another term in office.
