Who is Ram Beyond Bricks and Politics?
The consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on Jan. 22, mirrors India’s politics and culture to a far greater extent than its religious aspects. One wonders whether the Hindus who may disapprove of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) policies are genuinely pleased with the temple’s establishment. Can they focus on the essence of who Ram was and the depth of his teachings, solely because of the temple’s presence?
The establishment of the temple follows decades of conflict regarding whether a temple previously existing on that site was demolished by Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India, centuries ago, to construct a mosque.
The Babri Mosque-Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute traces its roots back to the British era. The British, in an attempt to resolve the conflict, divided the site, allocating the main structure to Muslims and the outer area to Hindus. The situation escalated in 1949, two years post-independence, when an idol of Rama was placed in the Muslim-allocated area, reigniting tensions.
The dispute gained a political dimension in the 1980s when the BJP, guided by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, initiated a campaign to construct a Ram temple at the mosque’s location. This move was strategically aimed at gaining an advantage over the Congress party, which was seen as more secular. The campaign reached its zenith with the demolition of the mosque on Dec. 6, 1992, sparking violence that resulted in over 2,000 deaths. Since then, thousands of additional deaths have occurred as a result of the polarisation, not to mention the injuries, extensive property damage and communal disharmony.
Many BJP leaders, including the movement’s founder, Lal Krishna Advani, have acknowledged that politicising this dispute bolstered the party’s rise to power in 1998, albeit through a coalition.
In India, there’s a valid reason for not labelling violence between religious communities as religious violence, but rather as “communal” violence. Communal violence pertains to the worldly interests of communities, rather than a conflict over religious values or beliefs. In this context, the debates surrounding the Ram Temple have also been communal in nature, rather than religious. Indeed, a true believer in Ram would likely concur that, according to their beliefs, the presence of Ram cannot be confined to a temple, regardless of its grandeur.
More than two decades on, the temple is being consecrated even though its construction remains unfinished. This rush seems to be motivated by the upcoming 2024 election, just a few months away, where the BJP aims for a third consecutive term.
Setting aside the political backdrop of the temple, Ram’s persona embodies much more for Hindus. He is revered by them as the epitome of dharma (righteousness), exemplifying virtues like truthfulness, moral integrity and steadfastness. His life, for them, is a testament to adhering to dharma, even in the face of adversity.
Ram’s choices, such as accepting exile to uphold his father’s promise, are viewed as showcasing his commitment to high moral and ethical standards. His adherence to these principles has made him a symbol of ethical conduct.
Moreover, Ram’s life is seen as a narrative of commitment to duty (karma). He is celebrated for prioritising duty over personal comfort or gain, a fundamental principle in Hindu philosophy.
As a ruler, Ram is remembered for his just and compassionate governance. He is often regarded as an ideal king, deeply caring for all his subjects.
His relationships with his wife Sita, his brother Lakshman, and devotees like Hanuman, are seen as being emblematic of love, loyalty and devotion. These relationships highlight the significance of family and interpersonal bonds in Hindu culture.
In a spiritual sense, Ram’s journey is seen as an allegory for the soul’s quest for self-realisation and harmony with the cosmic order (Rta, or the natural order which reveals itself in and through the world and reveals itself as a moral law, governing and regulating the human conduct.).
However, the contentious and inseparable politics surrounding the temple’s construction diverts attention from the values and principles that Ram personifies for the Hindus. A national celebration of the anticipated magnitude should be reserved for a time when those leading our governance embody the values that Ram represents for the majority community.