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Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a significant milestone on Monday as he inaugurated the long-awaited grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking a political triumph for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and setting the stage for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The inauguration of the Ram temple fulfills a longstanding demand by millions of Hindus who hold the revered deity in high regard for the virtues of truth, sacrifice, and ethical governance. The BJP has strategically positioned the construction of the Ram temple as pivotal to its vision of reclaiming Hindu pride, which the party claims was suppressed during centuries of Mughal rule and British colonialism.
Modi, the charismatic leader of the BJP, and his party anticipate that the opening of the Ayodhya Ram temple in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with 80 Lok Sabha seats, will contribute to his quest for a record third successive term in the upcoming elections expected this spring. However, critics argue that the hurried opening, with the temple still under construction, is a political move to sway voters.
Dressed in a traditional kurta tunic, Modi led the opening ceremony, with Hindu priests chanting hymns inside the temple’s inner sanctum. The ceremony included the blowing of a conch to mark the temple’s opening, and Modi placed a lotus flower in front of the black stone Ram Lalla idol, adorned with intricate gold ornaments and holding a golden bow and arrow. Modi later prostrated before the idol.
Approximately 7,500 people, including elite industrialists, politicians, and movie stars, witnessed the ritual on a giant screen outside the temple, with an Indian Air Force helicopter showering flower petals. The Centre elevated the event to a national occasion, organizing live screenings across the country and closing offices for half a day. Saffron flags adorned the streets in various cities as BJP workers and followers distributed religious pamphlets.
Modi’s fusion of religion and politics has been unprecedented in India. Ahead of the temple opening, he visited numerous Ram temples over 11 days as part of a Hindu ritual, setting the tone for the grand event.
Media reports suggest that the BJP, eyeing a colossal target of winning 400 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, is exploring various strategies, including bringing in leaders from other parties. At a recent meeting, BJP national president JP Nadda assigned responsibilities to various general secretaries for this purpose.
Political analysts view Monday’s ceremony as the beginning of Modi’s election campaign, emphasizing the blurred line between religion and state under his leadership. The grand Ram temple is expected to play a crucial role in Modi’s electoral strategy by tapping into the religious sentiments of India’s Hindu majority.
While top opposition leaders skipped the temple inauguration, labeling it an RSS-BJP event, the presence of some opposition figures signals the complex political dynamics surrounding this historic event.
Also Read: PM Modi’s Bold Move Following Ram Mandir Event: Solar Panels for 1 Crore Homes
