Regardless of the debate going on about the consequences of the inauguration of an incomplete Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at least in the eyes of the common people, has emerged as the greatest Hindu icon of present times.
His elevated status may be disputed by some of his critics but after performing the pran pratishtha at the Mandir, in the presence of a large number of celebrities and prominent citizens, PM Modi is now in a league of his own, and has a colossal presence amongst well-known Hindu figures.
The Prime Minister had performed all the rituals required for the inauguration of the temple and while the Congress described the entire event as a well-orchestrated Modi show, there is no denying that he was watched closely during the ceremony by millions of Hindus, both in India and abroad.
His role in the construction of the temple has been highlighted by the Bharatiya Janata Party and is certain to be a major election plank when the Parliamentary polls take place in a few months. Many expect the dates to be advanced, since the saffron brigade would be keen to cash in on the popular sentiments and emotions that have been witnessed all around.
The only matter of concern which may be agitating the minds of upper caste Hindus, particularly Brahmins, is the non-participation of the four Shankaracharyas in the ceremony. These holy men, considered to be the most revered leaders of the Hindu community, had expressed their reservations about certain religious matters pertaining to the process and muhurat as also the inauguration of an incomplete temple. Therefore, it would be in the fitness of things that they should be pacified and their anxiety and views on the subject taken care of.
In fact, the Prime Minister himself should take the lead in approaching them. He is the head of the government and in our democratic set-up, the supreme leader. Nevertheless, the Shankaracharyas have a position, which has got diminished with their absence, and for many common people, they are no longer relevant. This is a serious development that must be looked into by even the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh whose Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, was also present when the rituals were being held at Ayodhya. Over the years and historically, the Shankaracharyas have been instrumental in saving the faith and thus if their importance is decimated, it is something which is not good for the Hindu religion as such.
There are also multiple questions that have arisen following the pran pratishtha. The deity of Lord Ram does not appear like that of a child Ram (Ram Lalla) and bears close resemblance to some of the idols that are there in temples of South India. It is not a big issue since Lord Ram is universally worshipped and is revered in all parts of the country. However, there is no clarity regarding the original Ram Lalla idol which was first sighted on 12 December 1949, when Gobind Ballabh Pant was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The Ram Lalla idol was the central figure during the entire Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and surely those who have got attached to this mass upsurge which led to the construction of the temple, would want to be acquainted with the facts regarding this particular deity. It is difficult to believe that the trust that built the new Mandir has chosen to ignore its existence, and thus there must be some sort of clarity.
The Ram Temple is certainly going to transform Ayodhya, which is certain to become the busiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in the future. Those who live there and in the adjacent town of Faizabad would immensely benefit from the devotee influx which would serve to boost the economy as well.
There is also intense speculation that the Prime Minister may now choose to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Ayodhya instead of his original seat, Varanasi, regarded as the oldest city in the world. With his growing popularity, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Modi can win from anywhere, and thus his candidacy from Ayodhya would also have a symbolic meaning for the future of the BJP.
The Congress and other opposition parties have been very critical of the Prime Minister but they seem to be lacking both the fire power and a narrative to take him on. The overwhelming sentiment, at least for the time being, is for the BJP hat-trick, to deny which, the I.N.D.I.A bloc has to do much more than what it is doing at present. Politics and religion must not be mixed in elections, but Hindus appear to be ecstatic that the Ram Temple has finally come up. Anyone opposing this issue is likely to face the consequences of hurting the larger Hindu sentiment and would be easily branded as anti-Hindu, something which would be extremely costly in the electoral arena. There is no individual or party which is invincible, but in order to pose a challenge to such a dominant view and perception, there has to be an alternative strategy and discourse which also equally appeals to the general masses. This is where the Congress and its allies are falling behind and thus need to do some quick introspection and review of their general approach.
The Ram Temple has put the BJP in the pole position and Modi as its spearhead is poised for a record third term. Between us.