The defeat in Ayodhya has been a major blow for the BJP, which has been in years faced elections putting the Ram temple at the centre, as a symbol of Hindutva pride and the repercussion of the defeat is nothing but vitriol for the Hindus of the constituency by ultra-right wing members.
Following the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, where Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party (SP), a Hindu Dalit, won against the BJP candidate Lallu Singh, several social media groups affiliated with right-wing ideologies began attacking the people of the Faizabad-Ayodhya constituency.
The BJP, led by Narendra Modi, had campaigned heavily on the construction of the Ram Mandir, seeking to capitalize on the religious significance of Ayodhya.
Throughout the campaign, the BJP unabashedly sought votes in the name of Lord Ram, emphasizing the construction of the Ram Mandir as a monumental achievement. Modi's speeches frequently highlighted this project, projecting it as a symbol of a resurgent Hindu identity under his leadership, equating with a victory of nationalism.
However, following the election results on June 4, there has been a noticeable silence from the BJP regarding Lord Ram and Ayodhya, a stark contrast to the high-pitched rhetoric during the campaign.
The defeat in Faizabad, along with losses in nearby constituencies like Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, and Barabanki, has not only stunned the BJP but also triggered a wave of vitriol from its supporters.
Many right-wing social media users have targeted the voters of Ayodhya with casteist and misogynist slurs, accusing them of betrayal and calling for their economic boycott. This hate campaign has prompted numerous complaints to the Ayodhya police, with several individuals already under investigation or arrested for their incendiary remarks, according to a report published in The Wire.
The right-wing ecosystem's reaction to the defeat has been criticized as hypocritical, given the BJP's long-standing appropriation of Lord Ram for political gain. The party's relentless push for the construction of the Ram Mandir, which reached a crescendo in the 2024 election campaign, now appears to be more transactional than devotional.
Modi's omission of any reference to Ram in his victory speech, despite previously positioning the temple as a cornerstone of his achievements, further underscores this perception.
The fallout from the election defeat has seen prominent BJP leaders like Chief Minister Adityanath, who campaigned extensively in the name of Ram, remain conspicuously silent, The Wire report noted.
The party's inability to address why it lost key seats, including Faizabad, has left a void filled by speculation and discontent. Some attribute the loss to the SP's strategic decision to field a Dalit candidate on a general seat, while others point to growing discontent with the BJP government and its representatives.
Adding to the tension, several BJP leaders have expressed their disappointment in the voters of Ayodhya. Sakshi Maharaj, a BJP MP from Unnao, lamented the electorate's decision, recalling the sacrifices made by Ram devotees during the temple movement. Such statements have only fuelled the narrative that the BJP's commitment to Ram was more about electoral gain than genuine devotion, The Wire repost said.
Senior SP leader Om Prakash Singh warned that the vitriol against Ayodhya voters was creating social tension.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh criticized the BJP for its inability to accept the victory of a Dalit candidate, highlighting the casteist undertones of the backlash. Calls for increased security for Awadhesh Prasad reflect concerns over his safety amid the rising hostility.
Within Ayodhya, voices of reason have emerged. Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Mandir, condemned the abusive rhetoric, emphasizing that Ram should not be reduced to an election issue. He underscored that political wins and losses should not overshadow enduring religious faith.