After a long battle spanning decades, the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is finally on the horizon. The consecration (Pran Pratishtha) of Ram Lalla is set to unfold between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm on January 22. It’s a momentous occasion, awaited by countless devotees. But as the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram‘ echo through the ancient city, a question lingers in the air — is this the beginning of “Ram Raj” or the peak of “Kalyug“?
In Ayodhya, the devotees eagerly await the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the grand inauguration. The air is thick with anticipation and excitement as the city prepares to witness history unfold. Yet, as the sacred rituals commence, one can’t help but wonder if this monumental event signals the ushering in of a new era characterized by the principles of Ram Raj.
However, just a few miles away in Varanasi, a different scene unfolds. Protestors, determined and impassioned, march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office in Ravindrapuri. Varanasi, the PM’s parliamentary constituency, becomes a battleground of ideologies. The clash between those awaiting the inauguration in Ayodhya and the protestors in Varanasi paints a contrasting picture — a microcosm of the larger debate surrounding the Ram Temple. As the protestors are halted on their journey towards the PM’s office, the clash of opinions becomes more palpable. The symbolic significance of the Ram Temple inauguration is met with resistance, prompting us to ponder whether this moment signifies the beginning of a harmonious “Ram Raj” or is it a manifestation of the heightened chaos of “Kalyug”?
Did Ram say kick out the poor?
Echoes in the newly transformed Ayodhya, where the construction of the Ram Temple has set in motion a series of development projects.
As the excitement builds in Ayodhya, another narrative unfolds – one that raises doubts about the utopian vision of Ram Raj. The construction of the Ram temple has triggered a wave of development projects in Ayodhya, transforming the town. Roads are widened, ghats are constructed, a new drainage system takes shape, and even an airport is in the making. However, this modern renaissance comes at a significant cost for the residents of Ayodhya. The widening of roads has led to the demolition of thousands of homes and shops, affecting nearly 40,000 people. The discontent among the displaced is palpable, questioning whether the price paid for progress is too steep.
Did Ram say chop out the forest where I stayed?
The question echoes through the lush and biodiverse Hasdeo Arand region of Chhattisgarh, where the sounds of falling trees signal the commencement of tree felling for coal mines.
The once pristine and untouched landscape now faces the ominous sound of chainsaws as trees are felled for coal mines. Local activists passionately protest against the mining that threatens one of the last unfragmented forest landscapes in central India. The deforestation, accelerated by the Forest (Conservation) Act, 2023, is viewed as a political flashpoint ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. A clash between environmental conservation and economic development ensues, leaving us to wonder whether this is a manifestation of Kalyug, where greed overrides ecological responsibility.
The juxtaposition of these events creates a canvas where tradition meets dissent, anticipation meets resistance, and faith meets skepticism. In the midst of this, the nation finds itself at a crossroads, faced with the question of whether the Ram Temple inauguration is a beacon of hope for a new era or a stark reminder of the challenges and complexities that define the present age.
As the clock ticks towards the scheduled consecration, India holds its breath, caught between the echoes of ‘Jai Shri Ram‘ and the voices of dissent. The inauguration stands not only as a historical moment but as a reflection of the ongoing struggle between the ideals of “Ram Raj” and the shadows cast by “Kalyug,” leaving us to decipher the narrative that unfolds before our eyes.