Mosque to Temple: Quest for Unity?

 

Succinct History:

The Babri Mosque, built in 1528 by Mughal commander Mir Baqi under Babur's rule, became a source of conflict when a Hindu sect claimed a temple was destroyed during Babur's reign. In 1859, the British partitioned the site, allowing Muslims to pray inside and Hindus in the outer courtyard. The mosque became a disputed property in 1949, leading to civil suits. In 1992, a Hindu nationalist mob tore down the mosque, triggering riots. The Liberhan Commission implicated BJP leaders, and in 2010, the Allahabad High Court ruled for a shared site. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling in 2011. Attempts at an out-of-court settlement and conspiracy charges followed. The Supreme Court's 2019 ruling awarded the land for a Hindu temple and a separate piece for Muslims. The Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was set up in 2020, and on January 22, 2024, the Ram temple was consecrated in Ayodhya despite some pending construction.

Contemporary Scenario:

Al Jazeera writes, “The inauguration of the temple is being seen as a symbol of religious triumphalism, turning India’s secular democracy into a Hindu-first nation, further polarising politics that will likely benefit the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) months ahead of general elections.” Religion is evidently employed in the state’s politics. As it has consistently been the case.

Indian Muslims constitute the largest minority group, have witnessed escalating religious tensions since 2014. According to an Al Jazeera article, Ayodhya holds distinct significance for Hindu resident Das, who sees it as Ram's birthplace and the location of a sacred temple, realizing the aspirations of his forefathers. Conversely, for Muslim resident Abidi, the transformations, including the district's renaming from Faizabad to Ayodhya, signify the erasure of Muslim identifiers. The construction of the Ram temple and the government's trend of replacing Muslim names with Hindu ones may contribute to the city's economic growth but appear to dehumanise and humiliate Muslims. Under Modi's authoritative leadership, religious divides have intensified, resulting in violence, discrimination, and economic hardships for Muslims, prompting Abidi to voice concerns about India's secular future. Despite differing viewpoints, Ayodhya's Muslims have made concessions to ease tensions with Hindu neighbours, reflecting the broader challenges faced by religious minorities in India.

This is the 'rashtra mandir,' asserted Adityanath, highlighting the historic significance of the consecration of the Ram idol as a moment of national pride. He expressed the belief that, with the grace of Ram, the streets of Ayodhya would no longer resonate with the sound of bullets, and curfews would be unnecessary. Instead, the city would witness vibrant celebrations such as 'Deepotsav,' 'Ramotsav,' and 'Shri Ram Sankirtan.' Adityanath emphasised that the presence of Ram in Avadhpuri symbolises the proclamation of Ram Rajya, envisioning a harmonious and peaceful era.

A collective press note issued by 22 Indian Diaspora organisations expressed deep concern over the worrisome 'precedent' established by the inauguration of the temple on January 22, 2024. Disturbing incidents were reported, including in Mumbai, where individuals adorned in saffron reportedly carried guns, shouted provocative slogans, and compelled a Muslim man to chant 'Jai Shri Ram.' In Telangana, a mob was said to have danced in front of a mosque, while in Kanpur, Hindu students allegedly chanted anti-Muslim slogans and verbally abused Allah SWT. These incidents underscored the apprehensions about rising tensions and divisive actions following the temple's inauguration. The reported incidents are unfortunately not isolated occurrences. Small-scale incidents of this nature, encompassing activities such as the demolition of houses and shops, mob lynching, harassment, and calls for genocide, have been distressingly prevalent. These events underscore a broader and deeply concerning pattern of religious tensions and communal discord that persists in various parts of the country.

Pressing Questions:

The pressing question emerges: can concessions, non-interference, or collective prayers truly bring about a resolution without resistance? Will the Indian Muslims persist in the hope that 'peace' will eventually be reinstated, allowing them to live without constant fear and underlying unease? The ongoing struggle to find alternative ways of existence, navigating a reality where one's identity is consistently interrogated, raises serious concerns.

Allah SWT mentions in Surah Baqarah, Verse 190, "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors."

And Allah says in Surah As-Saf, Verse: 8, “They wish to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will ˹certainly˺ perfect His light, even to the dismay of the disbelievers.”

We need to inquire whether accomplishments can be achieved without our exertions.

This era is a testament to the strength of faith and the importance of practicing one's religious beliefs, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Where do we stand?

 

Written By:

Nashra Naim

Faculty of Law
Aligarh Muslim University