As India commemorates the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, it reflects a trajectory in Indian politics that diverged from Nehru’s vision of ‘Temples of Modern India.’ The shift, initiated in the 1980s, led to the prominence of divisive temple politics, ultimately culminating in the Babri Masjid demolition and the construction of the Ram Temple.
Nehru’s vision focused on ‘temples’ as symbols of progress, encompassing public sectors, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and cultural promotion. However, the 1980s witnessed a turning point with the Shah Bano controversy and the implementation of the Mandal Commission, fueling the rise of temple politics, particularly within Hindu nationalist strategies.
The emergence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, rooted in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology, marked a departure from Nehruvian principles. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, despite his moderate image, laid the groundwork for Hindu nationalist politics. The subsequent leader, Lal Krishna Advani, introduced the slogan ‘Mandir Vahin Banayenge,’ laying the foundation for the Babri Masjid dispute.
The Babri Masjid demolition In 1992 unfolded amidst slogans and violence, leaving a lasting impact on India’s political landscape. Despite legal judgments based on ‘faith,’ the entire mosque land was awarded for the temple’s construction. The subsequent rise of the BJP, with the Ram Temple as a recurring electoral promise, contributed to communal violence, ghettoization of the Muslim community, and BJP’s actions like the abrogation of Article 370 and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
As the grand Ram Temple is set for inauguration, efforts are underway to mobilize Hindus, both in India and among NRIs abroad. This event, following the Babri demolition, is perceived as another mechanism to consolidate polarization and garner electoral support. The culmination of temple politics in the form of the Ram Temple signifies a departure from Nehru’s vision of secular progress.
Controversies surrounding guest invitations, including the initial exclusion of Advani and Joshi due to age and weather, highlight the complex nature of this event. The article suggests that the Babri demolition, which brought sectarian politics to power, has paved the way for the temple’s inauguration, reaching the zenith of temple politics.
In conclusion, the article urges a recall of Nehru’s concept of ‘temples of Modern India,’ emphasizing the need to reevaluate the current heightening of religiosity and blind faith. The Ram Temple’s construction represents a shift from Nehru’s focus on the ‘last person in the line’ and the promises of a secular India.
Ram Puniyani is the president of the Centre of Study of Society and Secularism, and he has authored several books on communal politics and Indian nationalism.