Editor
There is a narrative which believes that the consecration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya is more politics than religious and largely meant to make electoral gains for the ruling party.
In this context I would like to state that the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya is not merely another temple which may be found in every lane of India, it holds immense significance by virtue of being the BIRTH PLACE of Lord Ram, worshipped by over a billion Hindus across the world. The importance of this temple is nothing less than that of Jerusalem or Mecca/Medina for Christians or Muslims where followers have a special devotion and emotions attached to it.
This day is not just a matter of great pride for Hindus but for all Indians who believe in upholding civilizational values as today we witness the rectification of a historical injustice perpetrated by the Mughal Emperor Babar way back in 1528 when he built the Babri Masjid over the existing Ram Temple. Please note, this is not merely a rhetorical statement to harness glorification but a fact duly proven by the Archeological Surveys in 1976-77 and 2003 which found concrete evidences that a Ram Temple existed and it’s original structure was blatantly used to build a mosque over it.
It is also to be noted that there were allegedly thousands of temples which were being destroyed in the medieval and modern history of India but Hindus sought and fought for the restoration of just this Ram Temple because it is a proven Birth Place of Lord Ram.
Today we also need to spare a thought for the millions of people since the last 500 years and the pain and agony which they must have gone through of watching their religious sentiments being trampled upon; the sacrifice of thousands of activists who gave up their lives to see the light of this auspicious day and for this reason, if the descendants of those generations are celebrating and overjoyed today, they certainly have a very genuine reason to do so which is way above political motives.
Hence, this auspicious moment should not be looked through the narrow lens of politics but as a victory of truth over injustice – Satyameva Jayate.
Yours etc.,
Raghav Bajaj
Via Email
Secularism is the life-blood of democracy
Editor,
The article, “Opposition must jointly take on BJP for using religion to win elections” (ST, January 18, 2024), has rightly pointed out, “Religious events, including fetching large number of Hindu devotees to the Ayodhya Ramlala Darshan free of cost for the next two months, will be organized as a special feature of this year’s election campaign outside the purview of the Election Commission of India in which large number of RSS – BJP – VHP activists under the garb of sadhus overtly and covertly will do the work of BJP and PM Narendra Modi who will be seeking a third term.”
Now the question is, should we let our democracy become a theocracy? Should we live in the distant past and spend our time and energy to engage in digging up controversies regarding religious character of places of worship? If we indulge in such activities, we have to face four major problems.
Deviation from important issues
It would deviate the focus from important issues such as unemployment problem, inflation, hunger, child stunting, inadequate health care infrastructure, lack of social security, law and order to name but a few. Also, it would add more load to the overloaded judiciary. I remember a comedy show where a man lost his car while giving his whole attention to get some free extra ice cream. It showed the danger of engaging in trifle matters forgetting the real ones.
Threat to secularism
It would pose a major threat to secularism. Secularism prevents a ruler from converting a democracy into a theocracy. It also fulfils one of the prerequisites of democracy that is religious equality. Secularism is a trusted path that leads to peace and prosperity. Religion is a personal matter between God and a person. But whenever it gets mixed with politics, the resultant mixture becomes a toxic one. After learning from mistakes like the Holocaust and other disasters as a result of such a mixture, many countries embraced secularism and this path leads them to prosperity. Whereas a number of countries including some of our neighbours have to suffer a lot for ignoring secularism. It would be a great loss for us if we deviate from such a proven path to success.
Breakdown of law and order
According to tSection 4 (1) of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, the religious character of a place of worship existing on the 15th day of August 1947 shall continue to be the same as it existed on that day. This section acts as a necessary safeguard to the secular character of our country. It also gives the policy makers a subtle message not to reopen the past conflicts and controversies but to give all their attention to the present problems.
However, section 5 stipulates that nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the place or place of worship commonly known as Ram Janma Bhoomi – Babri Masjid situated in Ayodhya in the State of Uttar Pradesh and to any suit, appeal or other proceeding relating to the said place or place of worship.
After Babri mosque now the focus is on Gyanvapi mosque. Three members of the majority community filed a case to settle the issue whether a temple was demolished or not to make space for the mosque. It has been reported that the Allahabad High Court has, recently, dismissed the petition from the management committee of the mosque and other parties from the minority committee questioning the maintainability of the case in view of Section 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. According to the Allahabad High Court, the 1991 law prohibits the conversion of a place of worship, and the original plaintiffs did not seek “conversion”. Instead, they requested a declaration about the religious character of a portion of the Gyanvapi complex. The high court asserted that the determination of the “religious character” of a disputed place should be addressed through judicial proceedings.
Technically it may sound all right but there is an apprehension. If it is found by the court that there was a temple in that area, what will be the consequence? It may lead to another total collapse of law and order like what happened during the Babri mosque demolition.
More controversies
Be that as it may, it appears the exemption allowed in the Places of Worship Act, would not bar more such petitions to determine the religious character of some places of worship to be accepted by the courts. Historian DN Jha’s “Brahmanical Intolerance in Early India” cites accounts of Pushyamitra Sunga destroying thousands of Buddhist stupas and monasteries. What will happen if Buddhists start filing petitions to determine the religious character of so many places of worship now?
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata