In the sacred city of Ayodhya, nestled along the banks of the serene Sarayu River, the city of Lord Shri Ram, a grand endeavor has unfolded. After years of unwavering devotion and anticipation by countless Ram devotees, the magnificent Ram Mandir has begun to take shape. The auspicious date for the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol within this majestic temple has been set for January 22, 2024, bringing the prospect of witnessing the divine to all those who have ardently waited for this moment.

A Special Invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The members of the Ram Mandir Trust have extended a gracious invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to partake in the grand consecration ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol. Prime Minister Modi has graciously accepted this invitation, expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm. In his tweet, he conveyed, “Officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust came to my residence. They have invited me to Ayodhya for the consecration of the idol in the Shri Ram Mandir. I feel extremely fortunate to be a witness to this historic occasion.”

The Timeline from Verdict to Construction

The Supreme Court’s historic verdict in favor of Lord Ram was delivered on September 9, 2019. Subsequently, on February 5, 2020, Prime Minister Modi announced the establishment of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust. The momentous occasion of laying the foundation stone for the Ram Mandir took place on March 25, 2020, with the installation of Lord Ram’s temporary idol. On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Modi performed the Bhumi Pujan, marking the commencement of the construction of the Ram Mandir. The actual construction work began on August 20, 2020.

Opposition’s Questions

In the wake of the announcement of the consecration date for Lord Ram’s idol, a new controversy has emerged, initiated this time by opposition parties. The controversy centers around the invitations extended for the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol.

Salman Khurshid, a leader from the Congress party, questioned, “Is the invitation only being extended to one party? Have the gods limited themselves to a single party? Are you turning this into a political event? Is this a special program for a specific individual?”

Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena (Youth) Member of Parliament, emphasized the historic significance of the Ram Mandir and suggested that it should not be politicized. She hopes that all those who initiated this journey will be invited to participate, acknowledging the significant contribution of the Shiv Sena in this endeavor.

Understanding the Opposition’s Dilemma

Why is the opposition awaiting an invitation to the Ram Mandir consecration when they have historically advocated for keeping religion separate from politics? The question arises – what is the source of their discontent upon Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to the consecration ceremony? Is there a political dimension to their objections? To comprehend this, we need to delve into the complete timeline of the Ram Mandir’s consecration ceremony.

Notably, this discussion about the Ram Mandir comes at a time when elections are taking place in five Indian states. It was the Ram Rath Yatra that initially propelled the BJP to political prominence. The issue of the Ram Mandir played a pivotal role in the BJP’s journey from just two seats to a resounding victory of 303 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Now, the BJP is using the completion of the Ram Mandir’s consecration as a means to bolster its political narrative. However, the opposition is not just concerned about the gains until 2023; they are more focused on the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

A Call for Nationwide Celebrations

When the consecration of the Ram Mandir takes place, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced plans to organize nationwide celebrations. They aim to connect over two lakh villages across the country with the Ram Mandir festivities. Consecration ceremonies will be held in around five lakh temples, with VHP workers embarking on state-wide tours.

All of this is slated for January 2024. At that time, the heat of the Lok Sabha election campaign will be on the rise. This extended period of Ram Mandir consecration discussions will coincide with the initiation of the Lok Sabha election process, and the opposition is apprehensive about the potential political advantage the BJP may gain.

In conclusion, the unfolding events surrounding the Ram Mandir are not merely religious but deeply intertwined with the country’s political landscape. As we approach the grand consecration of Lord Ram’s idol, India witnesses a unique confluence of faith and politics, making it a pivotal subject of discussion and debate across the nation.