by Nilofar Suhrawardy 22 Jauary 2024
If parliamentary elections were not due later this year, the grand politico-religious show at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (January 22) would not have dominated headlines. Neither would activists linked with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worked extra hard to ensure that “religious” fervor overshadows the atmosphere at practically all levels. Undeniably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s team has gone overboard on each and every front so that the mega-mega politico-religious drama of his inaugurating the grand Hindu temple at Ayodhya helps him electorally, socially as well as diplomatically. Modi described this as realization of his long-lasting dream. Clearly, his prime objective is not simply to return to power in parliamentary polls but also ensure a crushing defeat of his rivals. His strategy banks on this religious card by reaching out to Hindu votes in a country where their population is around 80%. Paradoxically, religious “credibility” of this move is being questioned in certain political as well as religious circles. The four religious leaders, known as Shankacharyas – “Gurus” of four Hindu monasteries – have reportedly decided not to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ram-temple as they are against mixing of religion with politics. Well, their decision probably carries little importance for Modi and his supporters against people’s “support.”
The attendance of the show by grand celebrities certainly bears its own significance. These include prominent movie actors from Bollywood, billionaire industrialists, a few politicians, including key opposition leaders and cricket-stars. What does this indicate? Indirectly, this probably is a manner of Modi letting India and rest of the world know about his “popularity” and the “importance” given by celebrities to Ayodhya-show. The fact that the invite has been rejected by Hindu spiritual leaders and several key opposition leaders doesn’t bear political significance for Modi in this context. Quite a few may have forced themselves to display their presence on the occasion to avoid displeasing him and not face his anger in other ways. This may be a harsh political reality which cannot be ignored. In other words, attendance of the mega-show should not be linked with political support for Modi.
At the same time, presence of numerous celebrities at the temple’s inauguration ceremony certainly bears significance in giving a big boost to quite a few political egos, noses as well as inflating chests with a new sense of pride. These apparently matter a lot for Modi, his political team, supporters and also his fans who have no qualms about calling themselves – Modi-bhakts (Modi-devotees), even “blind-devotees.” It wouldn’t be surprising, if these Modi-devotees’ craze for the Indian premier witnesses a great jump because of this mega-show. This is probably what Modi’s team has been targeting through a larger than life show with all elements of a mega-movie and his taking the center-stage as the lead hero. The role of other invitees, including celebrities from other walks of life, may be described as that of supporting actors.
There is nothing surprising about this as indicated by a reflection on nature of Modi’s past political shows. His moves, tacitly directed towards enhancing his political image, included Bollywood celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan. Ahead of Modi actually joining national politics (in 2014), he was chief minister of Gujarat. Bollywood super star, Bachchan had been roped in to promote tourist campaign of Gujarat as the state tourism’s brand ambassador in 2012. Ahead of the then parliamentary polls, on January 14, 2014, Salman spent afternoon with Modi at the kite-flying festival in Ahmedabad in Gujarat and the show gained a lot of media coverage. Of course, Modi no longer needs to fall back on their support for media coverage or for political gains. But his quest for playing the role of a larger than life super-hero stands marked by his role at the mega politico-religious show in Ayodhya.
The political message underlying the whole strategy has apparently been by understood by certain opposition leaders as well as religious gurus. This probably also explains their refusal to attend the temple’s inauguration ceremony. In view of Modi’s key strategy aimed at, as suggested, propagation of a grand image of himself, by playing a major role in the “politico-religious” ceremony, it clearly signaled “importance” of all invitees and others present being overshadowed by his own. Of course, usage of this card also aimed at throwing religious and/or his “devotees” into an ecstatic frenzy. But the million dollar question is whether this will really increase electoral support for him?
Certainly, religious-card bordering on communalism has been used by right-winged, extremist parties for decades. Despite population of minorities, including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, being no match for that of Hindus, this strategy has failed to secure BJP even 50% of votes during parliamentary elections in 2014 as well as in 2019. With Modi as Prime Minister, BJP-led alliance has succeeded to be in power because of opposition parties’ failure to stand strongly against it on a united platform. In other words, division of votes among rival parties is strongly responsible for BJP’s victory in polls.
Besides, notwithstanding all the “religious-hype” about the grand Ayodhya-show, prospects of it having any major impact on people’s religious feelings may be viewed as limited. No show lasts forever, particularly where politics and politicians are involved. The show will dominate media and Modi as well as his supporters will probably not cease talking about its “historical” significance and so forth for days, perhaps weeks. It shall remain etched for Modi, BJP and his fans as an experience that cannot be ever forgotten. Modi has reportedly also described himself as being “chosen” by Gods to “represent” all Indians at this grand religious exercise, which specifically has been described as “Pran Prathistha,” that is installation of key Hindu deity’s idol, referred to as “Lord Rama” or “Ram-Lalla” at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Historically, it cannot be ignored, BJP’s key political journey began communally, marked by destruction of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 to construct Ram temple there. The phase was also accompanied by nation-wide riots targeting Muslims. But this communal card never let BJP head the national government on its own strength. The party was forced to put it on the backburner to head a coalition government with Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister (1999-2004). The same party faced defeat following communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 with reins of power being taken over by Congress-led alliance for two terms till 2014. Campaign dominated by usage of secular mask together with anti-Congress propaganda helped Modi win 2014 parliamentary polls but with less than 40% votes. Victory in 2019 was not marked by electoral gains being much different. At present, the politico-religious show just ahead of parliamentary polls adds strength to certain critics’ view about Modi’s team being compelled to use this card for primarily electoral reasons. The factors which may have led to this decision may be numerous, including apprehension about electoral pressure, farmers’ unrest and several economic issues troubling the masses.
Nevertheless, it cannot be ignored, so far neither religious propaganda nor communal politicking has helped any party head the Indian national government. The primary reason for this rests in the strength of Indian secularism. Against this backdrop, the grand “politico-religious” ceremony at Ayodhya certainly plays the role of elevating status of Modi –much larger than that of a Bollywood superstar- among his fans/devotees and remain in limelight in India as well as other parts of world for quite some time. But with a temporal limitation. Till votes are cast and results announced, all possible campaign cards may be expected to be used by Modi, his team as well as their rivals. Thus, till then, as has happened in past, without puncturing or bursting Indian secularism, the clock of politico-religious suspense is likely to continue ticking!