Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened a controversial Hindu temple built on the ruins of a historic mosque in the northern city of Ayodhya, delivering on a crucial Hindu nationalist pledge that his governing party hopes will catapult him to a record third successive term in upcoming elections. The temple, which is still … Read more
Next week, a few days before India’s Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a grand temple in the town of Ayodhya, dedicated to the widely revered Hindu deity, Lord Ram. The temple itself has long been the subject of controversy and legal dispute, spanning decades of both violence and peaceful protest. That controversy … Read more
Sudesh Jaiswal was 36 years old when he, among thousands of people in the shape of a mob, participated in razing the Babri Masjid to the ground on December 6, 1992. The 16th-century mosque stood in the heart of Ayodhya, at the site of the Ramjanmabhoomi, where many Hindus believe that their deity Ram was … Read more
Most parties that are part of the opposition Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) are skipping the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. This appears to be a bold move considering the perceived sensitivity of the issue to India’s Hindus, who comprise over 80 percent of India’s population. Prime Minister Narendra … Read more