The Ram temple consecration at the site of Babri Masjid demolition (1992) has been scheduled for January 2024. This construction of temple is as per the verdict of the apex court. Whatever be the justification, the verdict must be accepted. The temple construction has been carried out by an exclusive committee formed for that. The committee may be in order, to invite the devotees of that particular faith to attend the consecration and it is the individuals’ willingness to participate in it. But the Prime Minister of our country has appealed to the 140 crores of the country’s population of all the faiths and also atheists to light lamps on that occasion. As at the helm of the Union governance of the secular democracy, is it proper to make such appeal? The Union government has to be non-religious and its role is not favouring any particular faith. Individual freedom is different from the function dischargeable by the head of the government machinery.
Besides the appeal of the Prime Minister, the invitation to the temple consecration has been sent to the leaders of various political parties. The former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena, has not received the invitation as he revealed in public. The chief priest of Ram temple has replied that only the devotees of ‘God’ Ram have been invited. The Shiv Sena leader is considered to be a staunch believer of Ram and an advocate of the construction of the temple,but his party is not in the alliance of the ruling BJP. How can he be denied an invitation? It is the blatant blend of politics and faith for which the ruling BJP should not subscribe.
People may rely on the faith of their choice. Faith as per historical evidence is one thing; faith based on mythology is another. As per Ramayana, the entire episode occurs during the treta yuga that had lasted 12 lakh 96 thousand years. Within this duration, it is told that, Ravana ruled for about 50 lakh years. How was it possible? Rama was the incarnation of God to kill Ravana as per the prayers of Devas. Ravana was considered Asura King. Many historians have pointed out that the epic is about the clash between Aryans and Dravidians. How could this mythical base has been built in the era of enlightment? Our Constitution also envisages, developing scientific temper which is the fundamental duty of every citizen.
The appeal made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be a lead towards the formation of Hindurashtra which is in violation of the constitutional provisions. Besides, it has to be construed more as a precursor to secure the votes of the people, who respect such faith at the time of elections. The Supreme Court of India has already decided in a different case that focusing on the religious identity of any sort during electioneering would make the result of the election invalid, whoever wins. So it has to be reminded that the elected representatives who assume office abiding Indian Constitution must respect the secular fabric which is its basic structure.
Another agenda is also on the move for the claim of Krishna temple’s extension at Mathura where the Gyanvapi Mosque is located and regular ‘namaz’ is performed. As per The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, all the places of worship must continuously exist as per the faith prevailed at the time of Independence in 1947. No investigation or public probing has to be pursued. Things are moving through the lower court proceedings and Archaeological Survey of India is carrying out the survey on the veracity of religious identity at the mosque.
It is against the provisions of the Act. It is pertinent to point out the statement of the Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda – “The Puri Jagannath Temple is the conversion of the Buddha Vihar.” Many of the temples all over the country were once the places for conducting prayers either by the Buddhists or the Jains. If the aggrieved go on claiming their stake, there will be no space at all for peace in our country. The judiciary need not be reminded of its vital responsibilities and independent role which must be as per the Act enacted by the appropriate legislature and on the whole as per the Constitutional vision of secularism.
