Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a temple dedicated to Hindu god Ram in the contentious city of Ayodhya. The temple replaces a 16th-century mosque demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, an event that led to riots resulting in nearly 2,000 deaths.

The inauguration witnessed the presence of top film stars, cricketers, and a celebratory atmosphere in Ayodhya. However, notable Hindu seers and a majority of the opposition boycotted the event, alleging political motives behind Modi’s involvement.

With general elections looming, critics accuse Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of leveraging the temple for political gain in a predominantly Hindu nation. Some argue that the government is exploiting a religious celebration in a country constitutionally defined as secular, causing anxiety and painful memories among Muslims, India’s largest minority.

The live televised ceremony featured Modi participating in religious rituals alongside priests and Mohan Bhagwat, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological foundation of Hindu nationalist parties. Modi proclaimed the day as historic, stating, “After years of struggle and countless sacrifices, Lord Ram has arrived [home].”

The temple, constructed at a cost of $217 million, saw only its ground floor inaugurated, with completion expected by year-end. The ambitious project is part of a $3 billion city revamp.

Built on a decades-long Hindu nationalist promise, the temple’s construction signifies a pivotal moment in Indian politics. Many Hindus believe the Babri mosque was erected by Muslim invaders on the ruins of a Hindu temple marking the birthplace of the deity Ram.

Tens of thousands of chanting Hindu devotees celebrated the event, with helicopters showering flower petals on the temple. Saffron flags and images of Lord Ram adorned the streets, accompanied by banners featuring Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Renowned figures, including Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, attended. The ceremony, named Pran Pratishtha, lasted about an hour, emphasizing Hindu rituals believed to infuse sacred life into the temple’s sanctum.

In 2019, the Supreme Court allocated the disputed land to Hindus after protracted legal battles following the mosque’s demolition. Muslims were allotted a plot outside the city for a mosque, yet construction has not commenced.

While some in Ayodhya acknowledge Hindus’ right to build the temple per the Supreme Court’s decision, others express mixed emotions about it being constructed at the expense of the mosque.

The three-storey temple, made of pink sandstone and black granite, spans 7.2 acres. A specially commissioned 51-inch statue of the deity was unveiled last week. Authorities deployed thousands of police for the event, urging pilgrims to watch the ceremony on television.

Despite the monumental occasion, religious seers contested the rituals, arguing against performing them in an incomplete temple. Opposition leaders also abstained, and some states organized alternative plans for the day.

As Ayodhya anticipates over 150,000 daily visitors once the temple is fully ready, extensive preparations, including new infrastructure, hotels, and transportation, are underway. However, concerns arise as locals report demolitions of homes and religious structures to accommodate the city’s transformation into a “world-class” pilgrimage destination.

In a surprising turn of events, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi encountered obstacles during his attempt to visit Assam’s Batadrava Than, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva. This development transpired a day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma suggested that Gandhi postpone his visit until after the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, citing concerns about “unnecessary competition.”

Expressing disappointment, Gandhi, currently traversing Assam as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, found himself barred from the temple despite receiving an invitation. Authorities remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind their decision.

“We were invited to visit the temple, and now they are telling us that we can’t. We won’t force our way in. We are on our yatra and simply want to understand why we are being stopped. We are not here to disturb anyone; we were invited,” Gandhi emphasized.

In a video, Gandhi can be seen questioning the police about the denial, asking, “What is the issue, brother? Can I go and see the barricades? What mistake have I made that I am not allowed inside the temple?” Subsequently, he staged a sit-in protest against the police’s actions.

The shrine’s management advised Gandhi to visit after 3 pm due to the ongoing Pran Prathistha event. Jogendra Narayan Dev Mahanta, the President of Batadrava Than management committee, explained their preference for Gandhi not to visit during the ceremony to avoid potential complications in welcoming him.

“At that time, we do not want Rahul Gandhi to come here because there may be some difficulties in the process of welcoming him. He can come tomorrow after 3 pm, and we will be able to give him a grand welcome,” Mahanta stated.

On the preceding day, Chief Minister Sarma urged Gandhi to abstain from visiting the shrine during the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, expressing concerns about the potential negative portrayal of Assam.

In a related development, the Congress party plans to protest against the recent stone-pelting incident on Jairam Ramesh’s convoy in Assam, labeling it an instance of “BJP’s fascism and hooliganism.” Congress leader KC Venugopal condemned the incident and called for nationwide protests against what he perceives as an assault on democracy in Assam by the ruling BJP.

Adding to the controversy, Congress leader KC Venugopal tweeted, “Today the BJP stopped Rahul ji from going to Batadrava Satra, despite prior permission. We have entered a new phase of democracy where the BJP will decide who should go to a temple and at what time. This dictatorial regime must realize that its days are numbered. People of India will not allow such authoritarianism. We will not budge till we are allowed to bow before Sri Sri Srimanta Sankardeva.”