Though the Mosque came down in 1992, the fruition of the ruling BJP’s attempt to the process of erasure of India’s past edges closer, specially in its most conspicuous example. A similar exercise in Kashi and Mathura are expected to follow.
India’s shift towards religious majoritarianism is a lamentable turn of events. Despite its constitution defining it as a secular state, the country finds itself entangled in the saffron politics of the BJP – a political party acting more like a militant group than a representative force for a diverse nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Ayodhya temple on January 22, constructed on the remains of the Babri Masjid demolished by a Hindu mob in 1992, took place without regard for the concerns of Indian Muslims, the largest minority community.
Leading up to the inauguration, Indian Muslims exercised caution, postponing personal events and advising against train travel. Media coverage sought opinions from visible Muslims, revealing a disturbing enthusiasm in their voices that spoke volumes about the decline of India’s celebrated secular ideals.
While certain expectations surround usual actors, the notable disappointment came from A-list Bollywood figures, including an industry led by a Muslim actor, who posed for cameras without acknowledging the site’s tragic history. India’s cherished separation of religion and state has given way to a more prominent role for fundamentalists. The country’s strained foreign policy with Pakistan has fueled a hostile attitude towards Muslims, aligning animosity with the neighboring nation along religious lines. The BJP consistently exploits anti-Pakistan sentiments for political gain, exemplified by the temple’s inauguration timing just months before the 2024 elections, raising doubts about Modi’s political motivations.
Even some dissenting Muslim voices have shifted allegiance, endorsing the official line and dismissing progressive views as hindrances to India’s economic success. The temple visit is now a litmus test for citizens, seen as an endorsement of the government and loyalty to the country. However, amidst this political spectacle, the Modi government neglects its own people – Indian Muslims who have always identified as Indian first.
When the BJP rose to power in 2014, hopes were high for a correction of past mistakes, particularly the Gujarat pogrom. Unfortunately, the party has exacerbated the situation, tethering India’s identity to Hinduism. India’s once-celebrated diversity and secularism have eroded over the past decade. While there is a glimmer of hope for a return to respecting diversity, the prospects for reconciliation seem distant. India appears on course to become a majoritarian state, where only Hindutva ideology prevails.
