‘Blot On Democracy’: Pakistan Condemns Ram Mandir Opening, Urges India To ‘Protect Religious Minorities’

Pakistan expressed apprehensions on Monday regarding the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, asserting that it symbolises a surge in “majoritarianism” within India.

🔊: PR NO. 2️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣

Pakistan Condemns Consecration of the ‘Ram Temple’ on the Site of Demolished Babri Mosque

🔗⬇️https://t.co/s3zJmZMhzN pic.twitter.com/X5rYshPxDu

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 22, 2024

The statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) followed the consecration of the new Ram Lalla idol at the Ayodhya temple, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The FO conveyed, “Developments of the last 31 years, leading to today’s consecration ceremony, are indicative of growing majoritarianism in India. These constitute an important facet of the ongoing efforts for social, economic, and political marginalisation of the Indian Muslims”. 

In 2019, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict facilitating the construction of the Ram Mandir. The court directed the Centre to allocate a five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.

Highlighting concerns over the rise of ‘Hindutva’ ideology, the FO remarked, “The rising tide of ‘Hindutva’ ideology in India poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace”. 

Pakistan urged the Indian government to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities, including Muslims and their holy places.

“A temple built on the site of a demolished mosque will remain a blot on the face of India’s democracy for the times to come. Notably, there is a growing list of mosques, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura, facing similar threats of desecration and destruction,” the FO statement said further. 

The inauguration ceremony, where Prime Minister Modi led the rituals, marked the advent of a new era, according to his statements. Millions of viewers watched the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony on television, engaging in this historic event preceding the Lok Sabha elections.

In addition to the Ram temple construction, the BJP’s agenda has included significant political moves such as the scrapping of Article 370 and the implementation of a uniform civil code.

The ceremony involved army helicopters showering flower petals on the newly constructed Janmabhoomi temple, with celebrations erupting in various parts of the Uttar Pradesh temple town.

Prime Minister Modi, after performing rituals in the sanctum sanctorum, addressed a gathering of around 8,000 individuals, including sadhus, Ram Janmabhoomi movement affiliates, and personalities from entertainment, sports, and industry.

As the temple opened to invitees, chaos ensued in the chamber before the ‘garbhagriha,’ showcasing the magnitude of public interest.

The temple’s construction, managed by a trust, incurred a cost of Rs 1,100 crore in the first phase and is set to open to the public on Tuesday.

Special festivities and events in local temples marked the occasion, with the consecration rituals concluding on Monday afternoon.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, features intricate depictions of Hindu deities on its pillars and walls. The Saryu river banks witnessed the initiation of the consecration rituals on January 16.

Various international locations, including Washington DC, Paris, and Sydney, also planned events in coordination with the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Diaspora.