rylah
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- Jun 10, 2015
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The inauguration of the Ram Mandir temple by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a site of deep historical and religious contention marks a significant milestone in the country's socio-political landscape. Built on the ruins of the 16th-century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the temple's opening has elicited a spectrum of reactions, symbolizing for many Hindus the return of Lord Ram to his birthplace, while simultaneously stirring concerns over India's secular fabric. The mosque, demolished by Hindu nationalists in 1992, was a flashpoint for deadly communal violence and the temple's construction is seen as a triumph for Hindu nationalism, a movement closely tied to Modi's party, the BJP. Critics, however, view the event as a political maneuver and a blow to secularism. Kapil Komireddi, author of "Malevolent Republic: A Short History of New India," reflects this sentiment, stating, “This is a purely political spectacle, the culmination of a 40-year political project – one that has been achieved through great violence. It is the coronation of Hinduism as India’s state religion and the crowning moment for the cult of personality erected around Modi. I see this as a very sad moment for India.” This event not only underscores the rising tide of Hindu nationalism but also highlights the complex interplay of religion and politics in modern India.
