The Delirium Over Ram Mandir: A Triumph of Hindutva over Secularism

The consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2021 is slated to be the greatest politico-religious event of our time. However, far from being the crowning glory of a great religion, the Ram Mandir, built on the ruins of a mosque vandalized by religious fanatics is, in truth, a symbol of the triumph of majoritarian nationalism. The state’s involvement in promoting any form of religion is a clear violation of the secular humanism propagated by the framers of the constitution. The planned mass mobilization of the majority community for the Ram Mandir consecration is nothing less than a carefully calibrated campaign of consolidation of Hindu society and a call to arms for furthering the “kamandal” project whose ultimate mission is the reclaiming of temples, implementation of the uniform civil code, ban on cow slaughter, halal meat, the hijab and a lot more.

Who is responsible for this?

The prime minister himself will preside over the Ram Mandir consecration on 22nd January 2021, and the high priest of Hindutva will be present. The present regime has smashed the flimsy secular facade that corralled the state from religion, which is now front and centre in the public arena and the ultimate arbiter of temporal power.

What are the markers that capture the zeitgeist of our times?

There are disturbing markers that capture the zeitgeist of our times – of a majoritarian State that is on a mission to reduce the minorities to second-class citizens. The savage conduct of the trishul-brandishing bhakts in recent years under the benign gaze of the state vindicates the Italian philosopher Umberto Eco’s observation that ordinary people are never so completely and enthusiastically evil as when they act out of religious conviction.

When is the Ram Mandir consecration happening?

The Ram Mandir consecration is happening on 22nd January 2021.

Where is the Ram Mandir being built?

The Ram Mandir is being built in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Why is the Ram Mandir consecration a cause for concern?

The consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya represents the emphatic triumph of religious fundamentalism over secularism, of Hindutva over Hinduism, of religiosity over religion, of exclusion over inclusion, of hate over brotherhood. The grand consecration on January 22 is slated to be the greatest politico-religious event of our time.

How did our founding fathers envision India to be?

Our founding fathers fought and died for a country that embodies brotherhood, tolerance and inclusion, and they envisioned an India that is a “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic committed to Justice, Equality and Liberty for the people.” However, the noble aspirations expressed in the preamble to the constitution seem like an absurd fantasy, a cruel joke.

How is the mobilization of the masses (only Hindu) for the Ram Mandir consecration intended to whip up a communal consensus on a Hindu Rashtra?

By installing 5 lakh LED screens in temples, the prime minister’s injunction to celebrate January 22 as Diwali by lighting diyas at home, the invitation to 150 disparate groups cutting across caste lines and 4,000 holy men for the consecration ceremony, and the ruling party’s arrangements to host 50,000 pilgrims every day, the planned mass mobilization of the majority community – the running of 1,000 trains to Ayodhya from various parts of the country is intended to whip up a communal consensus on a Hindu Rashtra. The clear subterranean text is the “othering” of minorities and Muslims, in particular.

In conclusion, the grand consecration on January 22 is a tragedy for those who believe in democracy, secularism, and humanism. It is a dark day for India and its minorities.