The Viyug

By Mansi R. Suryavanshi

The recent Ram Mandir event was the consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of the idol of Lord Ram in the newly constructed temple in Ayodhya, which took place on January 22, 2024. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, over 7000 dignitaries and was broadcasted live around the world. Chandrakant Sompura, who belongs to a family of famous temple architects based in Ahmedabad. He has designed over 130 temples .He is assisted by his two sons, Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, who are also architects.

The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is designed in the Nagara style of architecture, which is one of the two main styles of Hindu temple architecture, along with the Dravidian style. The Ram Mandir has three shikharas, with the main shikhara being 128 feet tall and the other two being 76 feet tall.

Some people argued that the Ram Mandir event was another landmark political move for Modi’s Lok Sabha 2024 election campaign, as it fulfilled a long-standing promise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to build a grand temple. They claimed that the event would boost the popularity and support of the BJP and consolidate its core vote bank of Hindutva supporters. Others said that the Ram Mandir event was not part of the agenda for the Lok Sabha 2024 election campaign, as it was a matter of faith and devotion, not politics.

They pointed out that the event was the culmination of a long legal battle that ended with the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019, which paved the way for the construction of the temple and the allocation of a separate plot of land for a mosque. They also argued that the event was a symbol of unity and harmony among different communities, and that the Modi government was focused on delivering development and welfare schemes for all sections of society.

The Ram Mandir Event as a Political Move

How the Ram Mandir Event Benefits the BJP

The Ram Mandir event fulfils the BJP’s promise to build a grand temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, which was one of the core issues of its manifesto and ideology. The BJP has been campaigning for the Ram Mandir since the 1980s, and has faced several legal and political hurdles along the way. The event shows that the BJP has delivered on its commitment and satisfied its supporters. The Ram Mandir event boosts the popularity and support of the BJP among the Hindu majority, especially in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the Ram Mandir issue has a strong emotional and cultural appeal. The event also appeals to the urban middle class and the youth, who see the Ram Mandir as a symbol of national pride and development.

The event showcases the BJP’s ability to achieve big and bold projects, and to overcome the opposition and the obstacles. The Ram Mandir event consolidates the BJP’s vote bank of Hindutva supporters, who form the core base of the party. The event reinforces the BJP’s image as the champion of Hindu interests and values, and as the defender of Hindu identity and culture. The event also mobilises the BJP’s cadre and volunteers, who have been actively involved in the Ram Mandir movement and the temple construction. The event energises and motivates the BJP’s loyal and dedicated voters, who are likely to turn out in large numbers in the Lok Sabha 2024 election.

Our research graph above shows some statistics and surveys that support the claim that the Ram Mandir event benefits the BJP. The graph shows that the BJP has increased its vote share and seats in the opinion poll conducted after the Ram Mandir event, while the Congress and other parties have declined. It also shows that the BJP has a clear majority and a comfortable lead over its rivals.

How the Ram Mandir Event Challenges the Opposition