As India prepares for the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the country is divided between celebration and remembrance of a troubled past. The temple, which will be consecrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, has sparked controversy and raised concerns among those who remember the violence and bloodshed that surrounded the demolition of the Babri Mosque over three decades ago.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a part of the Hindu nationalist network Sangh Parivar, has been mobilizing farmers in Yavatmal district to donate grains for the temple. However, this initiative has drawn criticism as the district has been grappling with agrarian distress, with thousands of farmers having taken their own lives over the past two decades. Despite the distress, the celebrations surrounding the temple inauguration have managed to evoke a sense of involvement and triumphalism among Hindus across the country.
The popularity of the Ram temple movement has been amplified through various forms of popular culture. Social media platforms, music platforms, TV shows, and news channels have all contributed to creating a benign image of the movement, focusing on the return of Ram. Even India’s largest domestic airline, Indigo, had its cabin crew dress up as Ram, Sita, and Lakshman on its inaugural flight to Ayodhya.
Prime Minister Modi himself has played an active role in promoting the temple inauguration. He has tweeted songs about Ram, created a playlist of such songs, and shared posts on his WhatsApp channel. The euphoria surrounding the event has led to the release of numerous songs by high-profile singers, many of which feature visuals of Modi.
However, amid the celebrations, there is a notable absence of acknowledgment of the violence and bloodshed that occurred during the temple agitation and the mosque’s demolition. Author Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, who reported on the events leading to the demolition, draws parallels between the temple inauguration and India’s independence celebrations. He highlights the sense of collective triumphalism among some Hindus, while Muslims express fear and disappointment, with some even imposing a self-imposed curfew on the day of the inauguration.
The Modi government and its allies have gone to great lengths to ensure the success of the temple inauguration. Public schools have been asked to engage students in activities related to Ram, the state broadcaster is running special programming, and central government employees have been given a half-day holiday. Several regional governments controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have declared a public holiday and imposed restrictions, such as banning the sale of liquor.
For many Muslims, the celebrations surrounding the temple inauguration serve as a painful reminder of the violence and discrimination they have endured. The fear and trauma from the past have not been addressed, leading some to impose a self-imposed curfew on January 22.
As India eagerly awaits the inauguration of the Ram temple, the country remains divided between celebration and remembrance. The benign image created by the festivities overshadows the troubled past and raises questions about the government’s handling of communal tensions.
