As the eagerly anticipated inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 draws near, the nation finds itself immersed in the unfolding drama. While there is widespread support for this historic event, the political theatrics surrounding it raise concerns about the extent of unproductive politics in the name of Shri Ram.
Crucially, the construction of the long-awaited abode of Shri Ram is not a BJP project; it is a consequence of a Supreme Court (SC) judgment, inherently an apolitical event. A Temple Trust, judicially sanctioned, oversees the construction, ensuring due process and adhering to the values associated with Maryada Purushottam Ram. The contrast with the amaryadit actions of the BJP-RSS cadres in 1992, which led to the illegal demolition of the Babri Masjid, highlights the significance of the current lawful approach.
While it’s inevitable for the BJP to capitalize on this event politically, given their longstanding advocacy for the temple’s construction, the Opposition’s response appears perplexing. Instead of gracefully acknowledging the SC judgment and embracing the occasion as a shared victory, some parties seem indecisive and small-minded. The optimal strategy for the Opposition should be to assert Shri Ram’s significance beyond party lines, diluting the BJP’s exclusive narrative.
In philosophical terms, opposing the political gains of the BJP while welcoming the judicial process is self-defeating. The emphasis should be on claiming Shri Ram as a unifying figure and emphasizing that the temple’s construction, sanctioned by the SC, is a victory for all believers. This approach would counter the BJP’s exclusive credit narrative.
Unfortunately, the unfolding political landscape is distasteful. The BJP is transparently leveraging the temple’s inauguration for electoral gains, projecting it as a victory banner. Their aggressive statements about Ayodhya being just the beginning and potential replication in Kashi and Mathura display a lack of regard for the Places of Worship Act of 1991, the law of the land.
A war over invitations is underway, revealing the confusion within the Congress and other parties on how to approach the event. The Congress is torn between condemning the BJP’s politicization and attending the inauguration. Akhilesh Yadav’s separate tangent and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena abstaining despite ideological commitment add further complexity.
In conclusion, the Ram temple has become both a unifying and divisive event, leaving Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram himself likely bewildered at the political spectacle transpiring in his name. As the nation approaches this momentous occasion, it remains to be seen whether the political theatrics will overshadow the spirit of unity that the construction of the Ram Temple symbolizes.