Ram Temple in Aligarh is both a place of worship and a source of strength

DURING A BREAK IN CLASS, students congregate in the cafeteria next to the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering on the expansive Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus. Over steaming chai, three MSc students—Hritik, Vivek, and Shivam—are discussing their impending examinations. They are taken aback by a query about the Ram Temple. The three hesitate for a moment before agreeing that they do, in fact, support the planned inauguration on January 22.

The three Brahmins claim that the incident has nothing to do with politics and is instead a question of religion for millions of Hindus. One states, “Hindu self-respect is at stake.” As Hritik acknowledges Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the temple, Vivek argues that (L K) Advani and (previous Uttar Pradesh CM) Kalyan Singh deserve the recognition. Modi is just kicking things off.

Questions about the Ram Temple are addressed with cautious hesitation at another table, occupied by four engineering students from the Muslim community.

At first, they say, “No problem,” claiming that the temple is being constructed in compliance with a court decree. But after a short while, they become more open.

According to Riyaz, who is concerned about finding work after completing his engineering degree, “the politics surrounding it is not good for the country, it is taking away from the real issues.” “No jobs are available.”

Joyous deal
The four further criticize the nation’s inadequate healthcare system, the little funding for education (saying that “even the IPL budget is more”), and, most significantly, the BJP’s “divisive” politics. One of them adds, “Even after they are gone, it will take years to undo what they have done to this country.”

It’s not about clinging onto hope, Ashfaq continues. Perhaps awareness is the key, and education cannot provide it on its own. It will need some time.

Situated about one-third of the way along the Delhi-Ayodhya route, Aligarh has a special position in the annals of Indian history, having influenced Muslim nationalism and pre-Independence politics alike. Although it’s not in the center right now, Aligarh, the home of AMU, is a fair indicator of how the two parties involved in a decades-long rivalry see January 22.

Wannabe rapper Satish Singh at a building site near the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Aligarh. He states that he would like to stay out of matters like the Ram Temple. “It’s really hard to make a living,” Singh remarks (Express Photo)
The doctoral candidate Obaid says he is not shocked by the BJP rhetoric around the temple as he sits in the cafeteria next to the Faculty of Urdu. Every party strives to maintain its hold on power. They believe that by doing this, they will win surveys. Only when people give up voting on these topics will things change.

Obaid continues, “I have faith in democracy.” It is useless for Muslims to discuss religion. That is what the BJP wants. Discussions regarding the nation’s issues and the government’s economic policies are encouraged. The goal of education for young Muslims should be to escape poverty.

With three of her pals, a student from the university’s Faculty of Mass Communication laments that “what should have been a moment of faith has become an assertion of a certain political narrative.”

The Muslim “alienation” is clarified by her companion. “A ruler may have destroyed the temple that formerly stood where the Babri Mosque now stands. We are now living in a democracy. A significant difference exists, she claims. “They (the BJP) are now convinced that they can do anything,” the author continues.

They go on to say that they were relieved that the Hindu side in the Babri title dispute case had won the Supreme Court’s ruling. The four people, who are in their mid-20s, claim that riots against Muslims would have occurred if the situation had been reversed.

For this reason, they believe the arrival of a “Hindu Rashtra” is imminent. “That is the time when Muslims will formally be regarded as second-class citizens.”

The BJP-led preparations for the celebration of the Ram Temple inauguration day are more visible outside the AMU campus, particularly in the Hindu sections of Aligarh.

There was never any question, according to 30-year-old lawyer Amit Varshney, that the temple would be constructed. “The evidence is overwhelming. It is fortunate that it occurred during Narendra Modi’s tenure. Millions of Hindus consider this to be a matter of religion, but the fact that it got to court has made it political.

When questioned about the Ram Temple, 28-year-old OBC vegetable seller Tinku Baghel starts talking about Modi. The nation now has a Hindu neta (leader) for the first time. If Modi has declared that January 22 would be a celebration day, then the whole nation will be participating. People complied with his request to beat the thalis at COVID-19. He claims that despite the fact that the whole Opposition has united against him, he has already triumphed once and will do it again.

Not at all, according to Baghel, who also claims that “the Muslims also get all the benefits” and that there has been no oversight by the government on matters like inflation. “Any action taken by Modi is beneficial for the nation.”

Not other segments of Hindu society, particularly those who have not historically supported the BJP, are as enthusiastic about this, however. A Jatav Dalit who plays in a wedding band named Praveen Kumar says he has nothing to do with the temple’s construction, but it’s okay that it’s being erected. “Where will I go to another temple since I don’t have time to visit my local one?”

When asked whether they will be celebrating on January 22, brothers Sandeep and Sumit Singh, who are also Jatav Dalits and are in their late 20s, in Borni hamlet in the district respond emphatically with “no.” “Religion that does not honor us is not something we associate with. The Ram Temple is of little importance to us. No one does in the hamlet, according to Sandeep.

Sumit then plays a video showing Nita, the wife of Reliance Group owner Mukesh Ambani, addressing a foreign audience and introducing her husband as “Ladies and gentlemen! I hail from the Buddha’s homeland.

They present the Buddha to the world. Even Modi gives foreign dignitaries figurines of Buddha. However, it is Ram Ram inside the nation, adds Sumit.

While working as a construction laborer in downtown Aligarh, 26-year-old Rajput from Jamalpur hamlet Satish Singh says he would prefer not to become involved in things like the Ram Temple. “Making a living is really hard,” remarks Singh, citing his experience as a laborer after completing his studies up to Class 12.

He says he aspires to be a rapper and gestures to his T-shirt that reads, “Apna time aayega (My time will come)” (exactly like Ranveer Singh, who rapped those lyrics in Gully Boy). He starts rapping on problems that politicians need to address, saying, “Aadmi nanga aaya tha aur nanga jega.” Masjid Koi Mandir nahi jaane wala. Naukri ki baat karo (A person has no temple or mosque; they are born with nothing and will die with nothing). Discuss employment).