Ram Mandir Construction: Is Modiji playing politics in the name of Ram Mandir?

Babri Masjid dispute

Demolition of Babri Masjid

                                                           

The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid is one of the biggest and long-running controversies of the land dispute and its origin dates back to 1528 i.e. around 400 years old when the Babri Masjid was built. It is said that the Babri Masjid was built by demolishing the Ram temple at this place after the Muslim emperor Babur defeated King Rana Sangram Singh of Fatehpur Sikri in the year 1527. Babur appointed his General Mir Banki as Viceroy of the region. Mir Banki built the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in the year 1528.

Ending this long dispute that lasted nearly 400 years, after the Supreme Court's order on 9 November 2019, the path was cleared for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The largest court of the country has, in the biggest decision, considered the right of Ramlala to sit on the disputed land of Ayodhya. While the Muslim side has been ordered to give 5 acres of land in Ayodhya itself. This decision was delivered unanimously by a special bench of 5 judges headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, Justice Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer arrived in the Supreme Court on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 10.30 am. Five judges signed a copy of the judgment in the envelope and after that Justice Gogoi started reading the verdict.

The mosque was not built on empty land

Archaeological Survey of India

The verdict quoted the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) as saying that the Babri Masjid was not built on any empty site. There was a structure under the disputed ground and it was not an Islamic structure. The court said that the discovery of the Archaeological Department cannot be ignored. However, the court, in its decision based on the ASI report, also said that there is no strong information about breaking the temple and building a mosque. But further, the court said that the Muslim side has failed to prove its claim on the disputed land.

At the same time, the court said on the demolished structure on 6 December 1992 that the demolition of the mosque was a violation of law. After saying all these things, the court declared Ramlala's right on the disputed land. And since this decision did not make any riot or riot environment flourish anywhere, very strict arrangements were made throughout India and its results were also seen. Yes, there was a wave of happiness in some places, there was some sadness in some places.

But a big question arises

After this, a big question arises whether in this emergency, where the infection of corona is spreading rapidly throughout the country and according to the data, the number of patients of corona in the country is increasing by about 38k per day (which may increase further). At that time laying the foundation stone of Ram temple gives rise to some questions such as is it a right decision to raise the issue of Ram temple at this time? Shouldn't the government take nationwide steps to prevent an pandemic like Coronavirus? Has the government given up on Coronavirus pandemic?

Bhoomi Poojan by Narendra Modiji

Image Source thetruepicture.org

Because according to the news, Bhoomi Poojan will be done on August 5 for the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi will do Bhoomi Pujan. Treasurer Govind Dev Giri of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha area gave this information on Wednesday. He said that social distancing will be followed during this period.

Talking to news agency ANI in Pune, Mr. Govind Dev Giri said, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of Ram temple on 5 August. 200 people including 150 guests have been invited to follow social distancing in the program. He further said, 'Before Bhoomi Pujan, PM Modi will worship Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman in Hanuman Garhi temple. All Chief Ministers will be invited to this event.

Earlier, on August 18, the day of Bhoomi Pujan was decided after the decision taken in the meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. It was decided to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Bhoomi Pujan in the Trust meeting itself and he was invited on the same day. It is said that the invitation of the Trust was approved by the Prime Minister. And since the Prime Minister's tenure has given its approval, the Prime Minister's departure is certain.

Are Public left on their own

While the general public is fighting the corona epidemic on the one hand, on the other hand, the daily inflation is also having to fight. 

Image Source BBC.com

Now the condition of the general public has become like a well on one side and a ditch on the other side. Because these were the issues loud by Modi ji while Congress party was in power but now Modi ji is in power, there is no discussion on such issues as inflation, unemployment and development. Right now it is only being talked about in the media that Narendra Modi ji will lay the foundation stone of Ram temple on 5 August.

However Narendra Modi has redeemed some issues (which should be praised as well) and due to these issues he got the opportunity to regain power like the issue of construction of Ram temple (decision came in favor of Ram temple), Section 370 removal issue and surgical strike from Kashmir. But just by cashing in on these issues, the public cannot benefit. All these issues are temporary issues which can be redeemed for some time but cannot be sustained for a long time.

There is an old saying in hindi "bhuke pet bhajan na hoye gopala", it simply means that if people do not have employment then all these issues become meaningless. This does not mean that I am opposed to Ram temple, but not at this time where the number of coronary patients is increasing to a great extent, it is not the time for these issues but it is the time to think seriously how this country is facing this difficult and how it can be lifted from the watch.

Inflation and unemployment will rise in coming days

And even after conquering Coronavirus, our fight will not end, after that the battle is going to be more fierce and this battle is going to be due to unemployment and inflation. According to the Asian Development Bank, inflation could reach 3.8% in the next six months due to the sudden pick-up in demand after the lockdown opens.

Image Source economicshelp.org

If we talk about inflation, then the supply chain situation has deteriorated due to the lockdown, due to which people may get in trouble for the next 6 months. Given this, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has predicted inflation to increase after the lockdown ends.

They believe that the supply has been disrupted due to the lockdown. In such a situation, prices of vegetables and food items are increasing. Inflation will be troubling in the first half, but there is a possibility of improvement in the second half. According to the Asian Development Bank, inflation will again reach the current level in 2021. At present, inflation is close to 3%. 

Where did the unemployment rate reach According to Mahesh Vyas, managing director and CEO of CMIE, (Centre for monitoring indian economy) the unemployment rate had been steadily increasing since 2017-18. In 2017-18, it was 4.6% on average. It increased to 6.3% in 2018-19 and then to 7.6% in 2019-20. Compared to these rates and their trend, the unemployment rate of 11% in June 2020 is quite high.

Now is the time to take responsibility

After the lockdown, the situation is likely to get worse, but even in this terrible situation, our politics is still focused on a single point and that is the construction of Ram temple.

The Ram temple is undoubtedly associated with the faith of millions of people, but in this situation the construction of Ram temple is only pointing towards vote bank politics. The responsibility of the Modi government is not limited to the Ram temple, but the biggest responsibility of the Modi government is to get rid of the rising inflation and unemployment of the general public, but regrettably the Modi government has failed on both these fronts. 

Therefore, it is important at this time that the government should pay special attention to these issues and it is for the benefit of both the government and the public and the slogan of the Modi government will be "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" means collective effort and inclusive growth.