Yavatmal/Mumbai, India – Over the past month, mini-trucks have been making their way through the maze-like roads of Yavatmal district in central India. This region has been grappling with severe agrarian distress, resulting in the tragic suicides of more than 5,800 farmers in the past two decades. However, these trucks are not carrying any relief for the struggling farmers. Instead, adorned with posters featuring the Hindu god Ram, they are traveling deep into the district, urging farmers to donate grains.
These donated grains are intended to be sent to Ayodhya, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will consecrate a temple dedicated to Ram on January 22. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a part of the Hindu nationalist network Sangh Parivar led by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is operating these trucks. According to VHP Vidarbha Prant President Raju Niwal, they have already filled three container trucks with grain donations and are currently working on the fourth. The aim of this initiative, as stated by VHP volunteers, is to mobilize farmers and make them feel involved in the upcoming temple inauguration.
The enthusiasm surrounding this event has reached all corners of the country, with the temple’s inauguration being broadcasted across social media, schools, and various media platforms. Music streaming services are flooded with songs celebrating the occasion, while new TV shows and reality programs have emerged centered around Ram’s life. News channels have adorned their vehicles with large Ram stickers, and their studios have featured prominent cutouts of Ram during news debates. Even Indigo, India’s largest domestic airline, had its cabin crew dress up as Ram, Sita, and Lakshman for the inaugural flight to Ayodhya.
The Modi government and its ideological allies have actively contributed to this jubilant atmosphere. Modi himself has tweeted out numerous songs related to Ram this month and even created a playlist of 62 such songs. High-profile singers and music composers have released songs dedicated to the event, many featuring visuals of Modi. These songs have been widely shared and repurposed in crowd-created reels and videos.
While the celebrations continue, some argue that they overlook the troubled history associated with the temple movement. Author Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay draws parallels between the upcoming inauguration and the events of August 15, 1947, when India celebrated independence amidst inter-religious hate and the partition of the subcontinent. Amidst the triumphalism, there is also a sense of fear among some minority communities. A Muslim friend of Mukhopadhyay shared how they are cautioning each other to avoid traveling in public transport and to conceal their Muslim identity on January 22.
Despite these concerns, the popular discourse surrounding the inauguration portrays a collective triumphalism. Many believe that the celebrations are primarily targeted towards India’s young population, who were born long after the violent events surrounding the Babri Mosque demolition. Sociologist Nandini Sardesai observes that religion has become deeply intertwined with popular culture, evident in the widespread incorporation of religious elements in music, dance, and films.
The Modi government has taken several measures to mark this event, including a special series of stories on Ram aired by state broadcaster Doordarshan. The administration has also granted a half-day holiday for all central government employees on the day of the inauguration. Five regional governments, all controlled by the BJP, have declared a public holiday, with some imposing a ban on the sale of liquor.
However, for individuals like Abdul Wahid Shaikh from Mumbai, the celebrations serve as a painful reminder of the past. Shaikh witnessed the aftermath of the Babri Mosque demolition as a teenager, with Hindu right-wing party members attacking Muslim homes in his neighborhood. The violence and fear of those days still linger, leading some Muslims to discuss staying home on January 22 to avoid any potential provocations.
As India eagerly awaits the inauguration of the Ram temple, the celebrations serve as a stark contrast to the bloodied past of the temple movement. Amidst the fervor and enthusiasm, the underlying pain and divisions remain and continue to shape the perceptions of different communities.