In a historic ceremony, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, a grand temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ram. The temple, built on the site of the 16th-century Babri mosque that was demolished in 1992, has become a symbol of both celebration and controversy, with political undertones and religious sentiments taking center stage in the city of Ayodhya.
The inauguration, attended by thousands of guests, including top film stars and cricketers, unfolded against the backdrop of a decades-long dispute over the contested land. The ceremony, called “Pran Pratishtha,” translated as the “establishment of life force,” witnessed Prime Minister Modi participating in religious rituals within the temple’s sanctum alongside priests and Mohan Bhagwat, the head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Despite the grandeur of the occasion, the event was not without its share of controversy. Some Hindu seers and a majority of the opposition boycotted the ceremony, alleging that Prime Minister Modi was exploiting the temple inauguration for political gains. With general elections looming on the horizon, critics argue that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could use the temple’s opening to sway voters in a country where 80% of the population adheres to Hinduism.
Financially, the temple, constructed at a cost of $217 million, was funded through private donations, according to the temple trust. The three-story structure, made with pink sandstone and anchored by black granite, covers 7.2 acres in a 70-acre complex. However, only the ground floor was opened during the ceremony, with the completion of the entire structure expected by the end of the year.
Ayodhya, already a flashpoint city due to its historical and religious significance, has undergone significant transformation to accommodate the anticipated influx of pilgrims and tourists. The government’s allocation of $3.85 billion for Ayodhya’s development aims to turn the city into a world-class destination, but not without local concerns. Some residents reported the complete or partial demolition of their homes, shops, and religious structures to make way for infrastructure development.
Read More | Vivek Ramaswamy drops out of 2024 US presidential race, endorses Donald Trump”
The temple inauguration has also reignited tensions among the Muslim community in Ayodhya, who recall the painful memories associated with the demolition of the Babri mosque. While the legal battle over land ownership concluded in 2019 with the Supreme Court granting the disputed land to Hindus and allocating an alternative plot for Muslims to build a mosque, some Muslims expressed fear about potential tensions during the influx of Hindu devotees.
As India witnesses the culmination of a decades-long Hindu nationalist pledge, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir stands as a testament to the delicate balance between religious identity and the principles of a secular state. The celebration and controversy surrounding the event underscore the complex interplay of politics, religion, and culture in one of the world’s most diverse nations.
