Building a more inclusive narrative — one that respects all religious communities and fosters dialogue — is essential to preserve the country’s secular ideals
Behzad Parvez | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, renewed focus on the broader socio-political implications of the Hindutva agenda. For decades, the construction of the temple on the Babri Masjid site has been a central issue for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and their affiliated organisations, symbolising the assertion of Hindu supremacy in the political domain.
Understandably, the construction of the temple on the ruins of the historic Babri Masjid emboldened the aggressive Hindutva narrative of the saffron brigade. The Supreme Court-ordered construction of the temple, which was politically designed to be inaugurated just before the general elections, not only challenged the country’s secular fabric and democratic polity but also opened the floodgates to targeting other important mosques and religious sites.
The movement for the construction of the Ram Temple was never solely about building a place of worship. It served as a unifying force for Hindutva politics, leveraging historical grievances and identity politics to galvanise mass support. The Babri Masjid’s demolition in 1992, a watershed moment in India’s communal history, marked the culmination of this movement’s first phase.
The Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict, which paved the way for the temple’s construction, provided a legal closure to the dispute but left lingering questions about justice, reconciliation, and religious coexistence.
Inarguably, the temple’s inauguration, celebrated as a victory for Hindu pride by its proponents, raised concerns about the future trajectory of Hindutva politics.
The temple’s consecration let loose the genie of Hindutva which aided and abetted inimical forces in targeting mosques and Muslim shrines across the country with impunity. The absurd notion of pandering to the wishes of the majority further vitiated the atmosphere and considerably contributed to deepening distrust in society and denting religious harmony.
Resultantly, Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh was rocked by violence and five precious lives were lost in alleged police firing following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Hindu groups claim that the mosque was built on the site of an ancient temple.
Besides Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Shahi Idgah in Mathura, Dargah at Ajmer Shareef and Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, which have already emerged as flashpoints, Hindu groups have set their sights on Muslim religious places in Badaun, Baghpat, Lucknow, Jaunpur and Delhi.
The rhetoric surrounding these disputes has grown louder in recent months, with several petitions and legal cases being filed to reclaim the “Hindu heritage” of these sites. Leaders and organisations associated with the Hindutva movement have increasingly used the language of historical correction to justify such claims. Critics argue that this rhetoric undermines India’s secular ethos, as it prioritises one community’s religious identity over another’s right to worship and coexist.
Targeting mosques and other religious sites risks further polarising an already divided society. Communal tensions, often simmering beneath the surface, could escalate into open conflict, as seen in the aftermath of the dastardly demolition of the Babri Masjid. Such developments not only threaten India’s social harmony but also risk its international standing as a diverse and democratic nation.
Building a more inclusive narrative — one that respects all religious communities and fosters dialogue — is essential for preserving the country’s secular ideals. The genie of Hindutva politics, once unleashed, is challenging to contain, but the collective will of the people and institutions can still chart a path toward unity and reconciliation.
