Deccan Herald
Mixing Religion with Politics
The BJP government has decided to remind us that genuine patriotism stems from taking pride in the construction of the Ram temple, which serves as an affirmation of our religious faith.
Aditya Mukherjee
Last Updated 28 December 2023
January 2024 will be a defining moment for the BJP under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi: the inauguration of the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya
The BJP government has decided to remind us that genuine patriotism stems from taking pride in the construction of the Ram temple, which serves as an affirmation of our religious faith. Moreover, Lord Ram, as we all know, was an inspiring cultural symbol of India. It is believed that an estimated cost of around Rs 1,800 crore has been incurred in building this temple.
Even the Congress might avoid criticising Modi’s initiative to construct the Ram temple in Ayodhya due to political expediency. The reason is that the party cannot afford to alienate Hindu voters ahead of the upcoming general elections. While Rahul Gandhi claims to be a Janeudhari Hindu and a devotee of Lord Shiva, Kamal Nath attempted to project himself as a more devout follower of Hinduism than Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the recently concluded assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. Ayodhya has remained a political hot potato for close to four decades ever since Rajiv Gandhi, as prime minister, ordered the unlocking of the small shrine to Ram at the disputed site. Since then, the issue has perpetually smoldered. Thus, this anticipated contest of religious assertions has underscored that the temple issue remains a persistent factor in the ever-fluctuating political landscape of our country. The construction of religious structures can serve as a distraction from addressing other important socio-economic problems.
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https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/mixing-religion-with-politics-2828476
