As India prepares to celebrate the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the country’s 200 million Muslims are left wondering about their future. The construction of the temple, taking place at the site where the 16th-century Babri Masjid was torn down in 1992, has sparked a nationwide frenzy and brought the country to a virtual standstill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading the ceremony, which has been criticized for its timing ahead of national elections expected to begin in March.
For many Indian Muslims, the state-sponsored pomp and ceremony surrounding the temple’s launch is just the latest indication that their concerns and interests are being ignored. Under Modi’s leadership, religious polarization has increased in the country, not only impacting the safety and security of Muslims but also their political influence in the upcoming elections. Muslims make up more than 20 percent of the population in 101 of India’s parliamentary constituencies, giving them the ability to affect electoral outcomes in the past. However, with the rising religious sentiments and the potential consolidation of the Hindu vote behind the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this dynamic may be changing.
The Ram temple, which is being unveiled while still under construction, has become the centerpiece of Modi’s religious pitch. Despite opposition from senior Hindu seers who accuse the prime minister of using the temple for electoral gains, Modi has been visiting temples and keeping a fast since January 12. While many Muslims have no issue with the construction of the temple itself, they are concerned about the use of religion to polarize society and create tensions.
The construction of the Ram temple is part of a broader revival and expansion of the city of Ayodhya. In addition to the temple, a new airport and railway station have been inaugurated, and the city is extending into the neighboring city of Faizabad. Next to Ayodhya is the village of Dhannipur, where the Supreme Court has asked the government to give land to the Muslim community to build a mosque. However, the rapid construction of the Ram temple has left many Muslims despondent, with a sense of resignation about the situation.
Some Muslims, like Yumna Hussain, also hold the community’s leaders responsible for raising false hopes of a secular Constitution protecting minority interests and returning the disputed land. The failure of arbitration efforts in 2018 and the subsequent construction of the temple have dashed these expectations. However, there is still hope among some Muslims that the judiciary will prevent a similar situation in Mathura and Varanasi, where historic mosques are also claimed to be built on demolished temples.
The inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya has brought both celebration and concerns for India’s Muslim population. As the country moves forward, it remains to be seen how the construction of religious monuments will continue to impact the political landscape and the social fabric of the nation.
