Hindutva’s (Re)Construction of the Ram Mandir

Abstract

This article explores the political and religious dimensions of the Ram Mandir movement in Ayodhya, detailing its transformation from a contested sacred site into a potent symbol of Hindu nationalist ascendancy. It argues that the BJP and the Sangh Parivar strategically mobilized Vaishnava devotion to Ram, converting theological belief into a legal and political instrument to assert Hindu majoritarianism. The analysis is structured around three phases: the legal and mythic reconstruction of Ram’s birthplace through colonial and post-independence jurisprudence; the interplay of violence and judicial sanction following the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition and court rulings that legitimized Hindu claims; and the political consecration marked by Prime Minister Modi’s central role in the 2024 prana pratishtha ceremony. The article concludes that the Ram Mandir’s construction exemplifies how Hindutva has reshaped secular law to serve majoritarian interests, setting a precedent for future temple-mosque disputes and redefining the relationship between faith, law, and politics in contemporary India.