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The inauguration of the temple on Monday in the pilgrim city of Ayodhya heralds a “new era”, Modi said before its construction in honor of the Hindu god Ram, which was built on the ruins of a centuries-old mosque destroyed by extremist Hindus.
During a solemn ceremony, the Indian Prime Minister, dressed in traditional golden robes, unveiled the stone carving of the Hindu god. “The Lord has made me an instrument to represent the entire Indian people,” Modi said before the inauguration began, as he prayed at the foot of the floral and bejeweled statue.
Tens of thousands of singing and dancing supporters of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filled the streets of Ayodhya in front of the site. They waved flags, honked horns and drummed as military helicopters rained flower petals from the sky. According to media reports, leading opposition representatives stayed away from the event.
The event in the state of Uttar Pradesh is also seen as the start of Modi’s election campaign for the parliamentary elections in April and May, in which he and his BJP are seeking a third term in office. Modi is trying to present himself as a defender of the faith before the elections.
Modi’s nationalist BJP had been calling for the construction of the temple for years. In 2020, the Indian head of government laid the foundation stone for the temple in the pilgrimage city of Ayodhya, which is revered by Muslims and Hindus. Critics accuse the BJP of wanting to transform constitutionally secular India into a Hindu nationalist state and marginalize its huge Muslim minority.
The historic mosque was stormed and destroyed by radical Hindus in 1992. The attack led to serious clashes between Hindus and Muslims, killing more than 2,000 people, most of whom were Muslims.
Hindus revere the site of the now-dedicated temple as the birthplace of the god Ram, who is said to have been born there about 7,000 years ago. They believe the mosque was built in the 16th century on the site of a Hindu temple to Ram. (AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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