The Pran Prathishta or idol consecration ceremony for the newly erected Ram Temple in Ayodhya today has been turned into an epoch-making event at the behest of the ruling political establishment. The majority community has every right to hold a temple consecration event in a dignified manner and in keeping with religious traditions. The nation would heave a sigh of relief that, after decades of wrangles and large-scale bloodshed, those who campaigned for the setting up of a Ram Temple at the spot where a dilapidated Babri Masjid stood, would now be at peace with themselves. Religion holds an important space in the life of most individuals and this is an occasion for large-scale celebrations across the nation, though this frenzy was built to the present level by a governmental push.
Every religion teaches its adherents to follow the path of brotherhood and compassion towards all. Hinduism, with all its divisions and discriminations within its ranks, has also spread the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or sought to see the world as one family. In practice, though, this is wishful thinking. The modern principles of globalization revisited this concept by seeing the world as a global village. Steps have been taken in this direction in matters of trade etc., but every nation cannot do without protection of its borders. Boundaries did not disappear, unlike the Berlin Wall. Hindus as a whole were a patient society, despite conquests in the past from alien Muslim rulers. But the frenzy against the Babri Masjid leading to its demolition and the present consecration of a Ram Temple there had reached its height in 1992, resulting in bloodshed on a massive scale. For, religious feelings of Hindus were raised to a high level since the 1980s by vested interests, taking full advantage of the serialization of a Doordarshan serial, Ramayana. Its by-product is the BJP that rules India today with supreme authority.
Religious faith as such is well-appreciated. But, too much of any indulgence is dangerous. The Muslim societies are examples. They have gained less from the present religious frenzy built to a climax by the mullahs taking advantage of the oil boom in the Muslim nations in West Asian regions. While the campaign for demolition of Babri Masjid set Muslims against Hindus, the terrorist offensives from the Pakistani soil turned many Hindus against Muslims. Yet, the Hindu edifice demonstrates stains of a secular outlook. While the Sangh Parivar often takes aggressive stands on the basis of religion, the wider Hindu society is still tolerant and peace-loving. They are a guarantee to India’s integrity. The present frenzy over the Ram Temple consecration is fine as long as it does not build further on the negativities in future.
