A new Hindu temple, which will be consecrated with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance on Monday, is currently under construction, as building cranes tower above it. The temple is being built on the old grounds of a historic mosque destroyed by rioters over 30 years ago, in the city of Ayodhya, India. Some believe this event is a sign of India’s transformation into a Hindu nationalist state, departing from its former secular democracy. This has stirred controversy and tension, as the country’s general elections are coming up in spring, with Modi aiming to secure a third term in office.
The construction site is heavily guarded, with workers in yellow hats, police in green fatigues, and assault rifles visible. They pass metal detectors and facial recognition cameras as they chant “Jai Shri Ram!” – a phrase that has become a rallying cry for Hindu nationalists. The new temple, which began construction in 2020, is expected to be consecrated a year and a half from now. Modi’s involvement in this ceremony has sparked various opinions: some see it as a political move to win favor before the elections, others see it as a step towards Hindu supremacy. This sentiment is not echoed by Ayodhya’s Muslim-minority residents who feel peripheralized as India sways towards Hindu primacy.