(Britannica)

Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
25th January 2024 | 19:00 CAT
5 min read

On Monday, 22 January 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, built on the ruins of the demolished Babri Masjid, amid nationwide frenzy around the project fed and fuelled by the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allied Hindu majoritarian outfits.

The 16th-century mosque, which was demolished by a right-wing Hindu mob in 1992, triggered nationwide religious riots in which more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

The BJP and religious groups like VHP campaigned to replace the mosque with a temple, culminating in the destruction of the shrine. This helped the BJP gain national attention and become a significant political party in India.

The tortured history of the temple’s construction was marred by a long-standing land dispute.

Modi’s government has received major backlash, locally and globally. The party was criticised for deliberately neglecting its vast Muslim minority. Analysts believe Modi’s leadership of the ceremony shows a move towards the BJP’s goal of building a Hindu-first nation.

This aggressive posturing over issues that have dominated the BJP’s politics has raised concerns about Ayodhya-like campaigns in other places with shared Hindu-Muslim heritage and history as well.

Sanjay Kapoor, a specialist in foreign policy, told Radio Islam that the Hindu community seems to be experiencing a certain level of triumphalism. However, when he interacted with the Muslim minority community, he noticed that they were feeling a sense of fear and uncertainty as they are unsure about what the future holds for them.

“The Ram temple’s construction is the result of a long movement. The court justified and legitimised every step taken. Muslims see this as a setback, as they hoped the constitution, which should protect minorities and uphold secularism, would support them. However, the majority’s demand and faith-driven insistence prevailed. The court won’t go against the majority,” said Kapoor.

The lines between religion and state are becoming increasingly unclear, which contradicts the concept of secularism.

“The construction and inauguration of the temple was led by the government, which is unusual in a secular society that separates church and state. It is not expected of the Government to take sides on religious matters. During the inauguration, flower petals were showered by an army helicopter, and the Prime Minister inaugurated the event. There is visible anxiety among the people about what life will be like, and they are unsure if the state and the principal parties will demand more conversions of disputed structures or if this matter will stop here,” Kapoor added.

Kapoor believes that the construction of the Ram temple is a way for Hindus to demonstrate their arrival to the world.

“After the temple’s consecration, the BJP conferred ownership to someone from a lower caste, indicating their desire for their support,” Kapoor said.

Kapoor believes there is an attempt to turn Ayodhya into India’s Vatican.

“The city has undergone significant changes lately, with much construction work and a substantial money being invested. It is rumoured that celebrities such as Amitabh Bachan are taking up real estate in the area. The city is also experiencing a surge of tourists, and many Indians from all over the world will make their way to visit the temple in Ayodhya. However, there are still unanswered questions about the economy and employment, potentially affecting the government’s political standing. This is a matter of concern,” as pointed out by Kapoor.

Kapoor claims that the ruling party wants to alter India’s perception and move in a different direction from the past, which they believe was a time when Hinduism was forsaken.

“India is increasingly Hindu-centric compared to what it was taught in 1947. The current government is accused of siding with the British colonialists and has little regard for the values of the freedom struggle, like secularism and socialism,” he added.

Kapoor explained that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has raised objections about India’s approach to safeguarding the rights of minorities. They have released a report stating that India should be considered ‘a country of particular concern’, indicating that the safety of minority groups is at risk. “In addition, some views have been weaponised against those who oppose India. If the US government does not address the report, it will be taken up to US Congress,” Kapoor said.

Over the past decade, the ruling party has successfully taken control of the media, leaving very few outlets for dissenting voices. Despite growing concerns over the distortion of the Constitution and the erosion of institutional norms, opposition voices are often dismissed as mere jokes.

Kapoor is disappointed with the conduct of the media in India. “The media appears to be a lapdog of the government. They have played a significant role in influencing public opinion in favour of the government. There is a stark division, with most Hindi newspapers blindly supporting whatever the government does. However, some cautious writers suggest we should be wary and exercise caution,” said Kapoor.

According to Kapoor, despite the egregious violation of the rule of law, India’s constitution failed to provide protection.

LISTEN to the full interview with Mualimah Annisa Essack and Senior Journalist, Sanjay Kapoor, here.