In January 2024, crores of Indians watched as Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked barefoot into the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The images—draped in saffron, surrounded by chants, his hands folded in reverence—were beamed into homes across the country. Some wept in joy, others watched with cynicism. The temple, decades in the making, was finally real. But as the dust settled, one question lingered in drawing rooms, WhatsApp groups, and roadside tea stalls: Was this about faith, or was it a political masterstroke?
Faith Runs Deep
Let’s be clear—Ram is not just a character from the Ramayana. For millions, he's maryada purushottam, the ideal man, the embodiment of righteousness. The idea of building a temple where he was supposedly born touches a deep emotional chord, especially in North India. My aunt, who never misses her morning bhajans, called me up and said, “Beta, I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime. This is bigger than anything.”
For her, and many like her, it wasn’t about politics. It was about devotion. About reclaiming something that was, in their eyes, lost.
But Let’s Not Pretend Politics Didn’t Play a Role
The Ram Janmabhoomi movement wasn’t born in a temple courtyard. It was born on political platforms in the late 1980s and 90s, with leaders riding rath yatras and stirring up passions that led to the infamous demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.
I remember the day the structure came down. I was in school. The TV channels flashed images of rubble, riots, and rage. Our teacher asked us not to talk about it in class—it was “too sensitive.” That silence became part of our national memory.
Since then, Ayodhya has been a rallying cry, a symbol of cultural assertion, and yes, a political goldmine.
Election Season and Strategic Timing
Here’s the thing: the timing of the temple’s inauguration just months before the 2024 general elections wasn’t lost on anyone. Political observers, opposition parties, and even some BJP allies noted how the event blurred the lines between state and religion. Was this governance, or god-marketing?
When a state channels its resources, attention, and media machinery into religious ceremonies, secularism doesn't just take a backseat—it’s politely shown the exit door.
The Changing Face of Indian Secularism
India isn’t a theocracy. The Constitution promises freedom of religion and equal respect for all faiths. But increasingly, that balance feels wobbly. Minority groups watched the temple’s rise with a mix of detachment and quiet worry. A Muslim friend told me, “We’re happy for the Hindus, but where does this leave us? What message does this send?”
This isn’t about opposing a temple. It’s about the fear of being excluded from the idea of India.
Cultural Pride or National Identity Overhaul?
Supporters argue that the Ram Mandir is about reclaiming Indian heritage, brushing off centuries of colonial and Mughal influence. They say it's time India stood tall in its cultural identity. But who decides what counts as heritage and what gets discarded as “invasion” or “pollution”?
This cultural reclamation, while powerful, is selective. And when it’s wielded by politicians, it becomes less about pride and more about power.
What About Development?
Ayodhya has seen a facelift—new roads, hotels, infrastructure upgrades. Tourism is booming. That’s great. But what about hospitals, education, and jobs? When faith becomes the centerpiece of development, we risk neglecting the everyday needs of people. You can’t worship your way out of unemployment.
As one local shopkeeper said to me, “Mandir achha bana hai, lekin dukaan pe bikri utni hi hai.” (The temple is nice, but my shop sales haven’t changed.)
A Personal and National Question
For many, the Ram Mandir is a moment of healing, of long-awaited justice. For others, it’s a reminder of how religion can be used to rewrite political narratives. And for some, it’s both—a deeply personal act of faith and a masterstroke of electoral strategy.
India is a land of contradictions, and perhaps that’s our strength. But as we move forward, we must ask: Are we celebrating devotion, or are we being driven by division?
Because in the end, the soul of a nation isn’t built with bricks or slogans—it’s built on the ability to question, to include, and to coexist.
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