Muslims in Ayodhya, India are preparing for the upcoming inauguration of the Ram temple with mixed emotions and curiosity. The event, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has raised apprehension among Ayodhya’s Muslim community. Concerns about religious violence, discrimination, and the marginalization of Muslims under Modi’s leadership have led many to stay at home during the inauguration. As the controversy surrounding the temple’s construction continues, the blurring of the line between state and religion in India is becoming evident. Despite the allocation of land for a mosque following a Supreme Court judgement, Ayodhya’s Muslims feel disconnected from the construction and hope the new mosque will foster unity between communities. However, right-wing Hindu nationalists see the temple as a symbol of their vision for a new Hindu nation. As the inauguration date approaches, the divide between Hindus and Muslims in Ayodhya becomes more pronounced, highlighting the tensions within the community.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a new temple in Ayodhya, which has been built on the site of a destroyed mosque. However, there is apprehension among many Muslims in Ayodhya, who have chosen to stay at home due to fears of religious violence. This inauguration is seen by some as a symbol of Hindu nationalist ambition and the marginalization of Muslims under Modi’s leadership.
The situation has left Ayodhya’s Muslims concerned about the arrival of outsiders and potential discrimination against them. The controversy surrounding the temple’s construction has not ended, as emboldened Hindus continue to target mosques across the country. This raises questions about the blurring of the line between state and religion in India, with Modi’s involvement in the temple’s inauguration reflecting this trend.
Muslims in India fear discrimination and marginalization, as evidenced by their precautions to avoid travel and identification as Muslims. However, the spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denies that Muslims are being marginalized and states that the government’s initiatives do not discriminate based on religion.
It’s important to note that the construction of the temple follows the Supreme Court’s 2019 judgment, which also allocated land for Muslims to build a mosque. However, for many Muslims in Ayodhya, the mosque’s construction does not hold emotional significance due to its distance and lack of progress.
On a positive note, the new mosque in Ayodhya aims to foster unity between communities, with plans for educational institutions and a vegetarian kitchen. Unfortunately, right-wing Hindu nationalist organizations view the temple’s inauguration as a symbol of a new Hindu nation. Hindu leaders have also opposed the construction of the mosque, suggesting that Muslims build mosques in Muslim-dominated countries instead.
These tensions have led to increased animosity and mistrust between Hindus and Muslims in Ayodhya, making the sectarian fault lines more pronounced. However, the Ram temple in Ayodhya is set to be inaugurated on January 22, 2023, in a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Modi and other dignitaries. It is worth noting that the temple is managed by a trust created by the central government and has been constructed in the traditional Nagar style.