The third week of January in India has traditionally been marked by nationalist celebrations, including two important national holidays: the birthday of Subhash Chandra Bose, a Bengali revolutionary, and Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution in 1950. This period is typically filled with patriotic fervor, featuring parades that showcase the nation’s military might, cultural diversity, and historical achievements. However, this year, these republican traditions will be overshadowed by a ceremony both ancient and modern: the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Ram Temple holds profound significance for Hindus, being dedicated to the god-king Ram, who is believed to have lived and ruled in Ayodhya, a small town in Uttar Pradesh. The temple is being constructed near the site traditionally believed to be Ram’s birthplace, atop the ruins of the Babri Masjid, a mosque that was controversially demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992. This act, which was initially condemned across the political spectrum, has since reshaped Indian politics and led to the construction of the temple, which is now being celebrated by politicians, celebrities, and business leaders alike.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has become the central figure in this historic event, will preside over the inauguration ceremony. His involvement underscores the profound transformation in Indian politics over the past few decades. For most of India’s history, such a prominent role for a political leader in a religious event would have been unimaginable. However, Modi’s association with Hindu nationalism and his rise to power through the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have made him the embodiment of the intertwining of faith and state.
Modi’s centrality to the Ram Temple inauguration speaks volumes about his political strategy and his unassailable position as he prepares to seek a third term in office. For a significant portion of the Indian electorate, Modi represents not just a political leader but a revivalist figure who embodies the resurgence of Hindu civilizational pride. Unlike Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was cautious about India’s communal sensitivities and sought to maintain harmony, Modi is more overt in his embrace of Hindu identity, which has both energized his base and alienated some of his critics.
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The symbolism of Modi at Ayodhya is not merely about nostalgia for a bygone Hindu golden age. It also reflects his radical and reformist approach to Hindu nationalism. Modi, who is neither a Brahmin nor a Kshatriya, the traditional Hindu varnas associated with religious and temporal power, respectively, will preside over the temple’s inauguration as a leader who transcends these ancient hierarchies. In his own words, he acts as a divine “instrument to represent all the people of India,” further solidifying his role as a unifying figure for his supporters.
The construction of the Ram Temple is a fulfillment of one of the core demands of Hindu nationalism, a movement that propelled the BJP to power. Modi’s success in this regard has gone beyond just the temple. He has also achieved the revocation of the special status of Muslim-majority Kashmir, another longstanding demand of Hindu nationalists. The third major goal—ending the separate civil laws governing India’s religious minorities—seems within reach if Modi secures a third term, a prospect that appears likely.
Modi’s supporters argue that he has accomplished these goals within the framework of India’s constitution. However, it is more accurate to say that India’s Supreme Court, reflecting popular sentiment, has provided the legal backing for these moves. In contrast to earlier leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, whose secular vision often clashed with judicial authorities, Modi has faced little resistance from the courts, which have largely supported his agenda.
The inauguration of the Ram Temple is not just a religious event but a powerful symbol of the shift in India’s political landscape. It represents the triumph of a Hindu nationalist vision over the secular state established by Nehru after independence. This transformation is starkly illustrated by the contrast between Modi’s active participation in the temple’s consecration and Nehru’s insistence that India’s first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, attend the re-sanctification of another historic temple only as a private citizen, without the trappings of state power. Modi’s central role in the Ayodhya ceremony marks a definitive moment in India’s ongoing evolution, where the lines between faith and state have become increasingly blurred.
