Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, officiated the opening ceremony of a contentious Hindu temple built upon the ruins of an ancient mosque in the holy city of Ayodhya. The grand event, anticipated to draw thousands, is strategically timed to potentially influence the upcoming general election.
The ongoing construction of the temple, dedicated to Hinduism’s revered deity Lord Ram, fulfills a demand cherished by millions of Hindus for over a century. This achievement also fulfills a crucial campaign promise made by Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
In preparation for the inauguration, Ayodhya has undergone a significant transformation. The city’s narrow roads have been widened into a four-lane pilgrimage route leading to the temple. The infrastructure development includes a new airport, sprawling railway station, and the construction of major hotel chains.
As Monday morning unfolded, Ayodhya resonated with jubilant spirits. Devotees from across the country flocked to celebrate the opening, dancing to religious songs amidst flower-decked roads. The city is adorned with massive cut-outs of Lord Ram and billboards featuring Modi, while borders have been sealed to regulate crowd influx. Security measures include 20,000 personnel and over 10,000 CCTV cameras.
Harish Joshi, arriving from Uttarakhand, expressed hope to witness history unfold. “I am here to see history unfolding before our eyes. For centuries, the story of Lord Ram has resonated in the hearts of millions,” he said.
The prime minister, accompanied by Hindu priests, is scheduled to participate in the consecration ceremony, where a 1.3-meter stone sculpture of Lord Ram has been installed. Approximately 7,500 attendees, including elite industrialists, politicians, and movie stars, are expected.
Observers view Monday’s ceremony as the launch of Modi’s election campaign. Modi, a nationalist leader, has aimed to shape India into a distinctly Hindu state during his nearly 10 years in power. The temple’s construction, situated at a sensitive religious site, is seen as a strategy to bolster Modi’s electoral prospects by tapping into the religious sentiments of the 80% Hindu-majority population.
Built at a cost of $217 million and spanning 7.4 acres, the temple stands on the remains of a 16th-century mosque demolished in 1992 by Hindu mobs. The historical site has been a source of tension, leading to riots in 1992 that claimed 2,000 lives.
The Supreme Court’s 2019 decision granted the site to Hindus while providing an alternative plot for Muslims, ending the dispute. The temple, a three-story structure of pink sandstone, is expected to open to the public after the ceremony, drawing an estimated 100,000 daily visitors.
The inauguration has become a national event, with the government planning live screenings across the country, cinema broadcasts, and widespread celebrations. Despite this, some Hindu religious authorities and opposition leaders are boycotting the event, citing concerns over the consecration of an unfinished temple and accusing Modi of exploiting the situation for political gain.
