In the ancient city of Ayodhya, ornate gifts are pouring in as India prepares for a historic event—the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. This monumental Hindu temple, set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been a long-standing promise and a symbol of the country’s complex religious and political landscape. The ceremony, slated for Monday, has stirred controversy, with implications for the nation’s diverse communities.

The sprawling temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, a revered deity in Hinduism, is being constructed on the site where a 16th-century mosque, Babri Masjid, once stood. The destruction of the mosque more than three decades ago by Hindu mobs marked a turning point in India, catalyzing the Hindu nationalist movement. As the inauguration approaches, the event has become highly polarized, with Hindus celebrating the fulfillment of a promise and Muslims grappling with painful reminders of religious divisions.

The Grand Inauguration Event

The ceremony on Monday will feature the unveiling of an idol of Lord Ram inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, conducted by Prime Minister Modi himself. Over 7,000 individuals, including high-profile politicians from across India, have been invited to attend the event in person. Ayodhya is witnessing an influx of visitors, with reports of approximately 100 chartered planes landing for the occasion. Hotel prices have surged, with last-minute bookings costing upwards of $1,200 per day.

Since January 16, priests have been performing rituals and prayers, preparing for the consecration ceremony. The inauguration has received extensive coverage on Indian news channels, with expectations of global viewership, including broadcasting in Indian embassies and on large screens in New York’s Times Square.

In a recorded message on his YouTube channel, Prime Minister Modi expressed his role in the ceremony, stating, “The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. I seek blessings from all of you.”

Controversy Surrounding the Ram Mandir

The controversy surrounding the Ram Mandir stems from its location, once occupied by the Babri Masjid. Hindus believe that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of a Hindu temple, allegedly destroyed by Babar, the first Mughal emperor. For Hindus, the site is sacred, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, justifying the construction of the new Ram Mandir.

The destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992 by Hindu hardliners, supported by the BJP and other right-wing groups, led to widespread communal violence. Dozens of temples and mosques became targets in revenge attacks, resulting in over 2,000 deaths nationwide. The violence marked one of the worst incidents since India’s independence in 1947.

The Ram Mandir project became a rallying point for Hindu nationalists, resulting in a decades-long emotionally charged standoff. In 2019, the Supreme Court granted permission for the construction of the temple on the contested site, seen as a victory for Prime Minister Modi and his supporters but a source of tension and loss for many Muslims.

Modi’s Role in the Temple Project

Prime Minister Modi, who came to power in 2014 with promises of economic reform, has also been a proponent of a Hindutva agenda, emphasizing India as a land for Hindus. Throughout his political career, Modi has actively supported the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, aligning with the ideology of his party, the BJP.

In response to the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019, Modi hailed it as a “new dawn” for the nation, envisioning the “creation of a new India.” Critics argue that Modi’s alignment with Hindu nationalist principles has steered India away from its secular founding principles, with the construction of the temple representing a culmination of a multi-decade campaign to transform the country.

The temple’s opening is anticipated to boost Modi’s chances in the upcoming general election, expected later this year. While the government hasn’t directly funded the construction, Modi and the BJP have vigorously promoted the inauguration, treating it as a historic national event. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP’s parent organization, has distributed food to millions of families in the vicinity, urging their participation in the temple celebrations.

Muslim Concerns and Reactions

India’s Muslim population, numbering around 200 million, is expressing concerns over the temple’s inauguration. Ayodhya, situated in the electorally significant state of Uttar Pradesh, is home to about 500,000 Muslims, and some fear potential attacks on the day of the inauguration.

Messages of support are circulating among Muslims on social media, with warnings to refrain from using public transportation for safety reasons. The 2019 Supreme Court order, while granting permission for the temple’s construction, also mandated the allocation of land for a mosque to be built approximately 25 kilometers away. However, the construction of the mosque is not expected to commence until May.

Prominent Muslim lawmakers have criticized the temple’s inauguration, lamenting the loss of the Babri mosque. Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen political party, spoke to his followers, saying, “Young people, we have lost our Masjid (mosque), and you are seeing what is being done there. Don’t you have pain in your hearts?”

Opposition’s Response

The Indian National Congress, the main opposition to the BJP, has announced a boycott of the inauguration, alleging that the event is being politicized by the ruling party. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, in response to the Congress’ decision, accused them of “jealousy, malice, and inferiority complex towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” stating that the party is opposing the “country” and “god.”

Temple Construction Details

The construction of the Ram Mandir is being carried out by Indian engineering group Larsen and Toubro within a 70-acre complex. The expected cost of construction is about 15 billion rupees ($180 million), funded through donations of approximately 30 billion rupees ($361 million). The government has not directly contributed to the establishment of the temple.

The temple features murals of Lord Ram, with one selected by a panel to reside inside the sanctum sanctorum. The black stone sculpture, weighing between 150-200 kgs (440 lbs), depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy.

Conclusion

As India gears up for the grand inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, the event stands as a symbol of historical and religious significance, intertwined with the nation’s complex sociopolitical fabric. The ceremony reflects the culmination of a decades-long struggle, marked by controversy, communal violence, and legal battles. While many Hindus celebrate the temple’s construction, it remains a source of pain and concern for the Muslim minority, adding layers to the ongoing narrative of religious coexistence and tensions in the diverse nation of India. The political implications of this event, particularly in the context of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and the upcoming elections, further underscore the significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in shaping the trajectory of India’s future.