Ayodhya is over, devotees chant for Kashi Mathura amid Hindu Rashtra claims
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The right-wing group celebrated the consecration of the Ram temple across the country with programs that could enthuse the Hindutva fervour among the Hindu faithful, but the spirit of the scene was at a high peak in Bengaluru. Along with prayers, members cried out for the claiming of mosques in Kashi and Mathura, chanting ‘Kashi Mathura baaki hai’ (Kashi and Mathura remain).
Temples in JP Nagar, Banashankari, and Jayanagar areas became the focal points of the celebrations, adorned with small tents where special prayers were conducted, and devotional songs filled the air. The atmosphere was jubilant, with live screenings of the consecration ceremony outside temples, including the Vinayaka temple opposite Jayanagar police station, where popular Kannada actor Tara was also present.
Residents expressed their joy, with one Jayanagar local declaring it "the golden age of Bharat," crediting Prime Minister Modi for making the historic event possible. Some attendees suggested that the consecration marked the beginning of reclaiming temples, pointing to the destruction of temples in the past.
Criticism was also directed towards Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not declaring January 22 as a public holiday, with a techie expressing disappointment over the government's decision.
Employees and management of Navrathan Jewellers on MG Road joined the celebrations by installing a life-size Ram idol in front of their shop, accompanied by street dancing and chants of 'Jai Shree Ram.' A procession near Mysuru Bank Circle featured artists dressed as Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Pejavar math seer Vishwaprasanna Thirtha Swami, took place with precision, starting at 12:20 pm and concluding at 12:28 pm on January 22.
Amidst the celebrations, the call for a Hindu Rashtra gained attention, with varying opinions on its realization. While some argued that India is already a Hindu nation, others, like Mahant Paramahamsa Das from Ayodhya, emphasized the need for constitutional changes to formalize the demand. A resident from Nagpur, Karthik Doke, believed that India would only become a Hindu nation when the saffron flag replaced the Tricolour.
In Varanasi, the Gyanvapi Mosque, located near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, has become a focal point of contention. Those aligned with Sangh and sympathizers, advocating for the mosque's demolition, claim it was constructed on the remnants of a temple.
Similarly, in Mathura, Hindu petitioners argue in court that the Shahi Idgah Mosque, built on Emperor Aurangzeb's orders in 1670, stands on the alleged birthplace of Lord Krishna, next to the Krishna Janmasthan temple. Last year, the Allahabad High Court consolidated all cases related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Idgah dispute, adding complexity to the broader narrative surrounding the consecration of the Ram temple.