Elizabeth O.
Controversy Surrounds Opening of Hindu Temple on Site of Demolished Mosque in India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the inauguration ceremony of the temple, which is still under construction. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram, a revered deity in Hinduism, and its construction fulfills a long-standing demand of millions of Hindus.
Proponents of Modi’s party and other Hindu nationalist groups view the temple as a symbol of reclaiming India’s Hindu pride, which they believe was overshadowed by Mughal rule and British colonialism.
Dressed in a traditional Kurta outfit, Modi led the opening ceremony on Monday. Hindu priests chanted religious hymns inside the temple’s inner sanctum, where a 1.3-meter stone sculpture of Lord Ram had been installed the previous week.
A conch was blown to mark the temple’s opening, and Modi placed a lotus flower in front of a black stone idol.
Around 7,500 people, including prominent industrialists, politicians, and movie stars, witnessed the ritual on a large screen outside the temple, while a military helicopter showered petals.
Ayodhya has undergone significant transformations leading up to the inauguration, with the conversion of narrow roads into a four-lane pilgrimage route, the construction of a new airport and railway station, and the establishment of major hotels.
Devotees from all over the country have flocked to Ayodhya to celebrate the temple’s opening, with groups dancing to religious songs that echo through flower-adorned streets.
Large cut-outs of Lord Ram and billboards featuring Modi can be seen throughout the city, which has been cordoned off to prevent further influx of people. The event is being closely monitored by 20,000 security personnel and over 10,000 CCTV cameras.
Additionally, the contentious temple, situated at one of India’s most disputed religious sites, is expected to boost Modi’s chances of securing a third consecutive term by appealing to the religious sentiments of the country’s Hindu majority, which constitutes 80% of the population.
Built at an estimated cost of $217 million, the temple covers an area of nearly 3 hectares and stands on the ruins of a 16th-century mosque that was demolished in 1992 by Hindu mobs.
These mobs believed that the Babri Mosque was constructed on the remnants of a temple marking Lord Ram’s birthplace.
The site has been a source of religious tension between the two communities, and the destruction of the mosque in 1992 resulted in violent riots across India, claiming the lives of approximately 2,000 people, predominantly Muslims.
Also, dispute reached a resolution in 2019 when the Supreme Court of India, in a controversial decision, acknowledged the unlawful destruction of the mosque but awarded the site to Hindus while granting Muslims an alternative plot of land.
For many Muslims, the construction of the temple remains a painful reminder of Modi’s Hindu-centric politics and a source of ongoing anguish.
Subsequently, officials have stated that the three-story temple, crafted from pink sandstone, will open to the public after the ceremony, with an anticipated daily footfall of 100,000 devotees. Construction work is still ongoing, focusing on the completion of 46 intricately designed doors and wall carvings.
The inauguration has transformed into a significant national event, with the government announcing a half-day closure for its offices and numerous states declaring it a public holiday. Even the stock and money markets have suspended operations for the day.
However, not everyone is celebrating. Four prominent Hindu religious authorities declined to attend, citing religious scriptures that oppose consecrating an unfinished temple.
Several leaders from the opposition Congress party are also boycotting the event, accusing Modi of exploiting the temple for political gain.
