The Ramjanmabhoomi Movement,
a “New Bharat,” and the Future of Hinduism
Keywords:
Ramjanmabhoomi Movement, Ram Temple, Hindu Nationalism, New Bharat, Hindu-Muslim Tensions, Colonial-Era Reawakening, Babri Masjid Destruction, 2019 Supreme Court Verdict, Temple Hinduism, Hindu Identity, Pluralism in Hinduism, Militant Hinduism, Hindu Pride, Masculinization of Religious Iconography, Ram as Warrior, Weaponization of History, Majoritarian Politics, Exclusionary Hindu Identity, Religious Tolerance, State-Sanctioned HinduismAbstract
This article examines the Ramjanmabhoomi movement and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as emblematic of a broader Hindu nationalist project to redefine India’s identity as a "new Bharat." Tracing historical narratives from colonial-era "reawakenings" to contemporary Hindu-Muslim tensions, the author argues that the movement reflects a deliberate shift from Hinduism’s traditionally pluralistic and devotional ethos toward a more militant, temple-centric, and historically rooted assertion of Hindu pride. The destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the subsequent legal battles culminating in the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict in favor of the temple are analyzed as key moments in this transformation. The article critiques the growing influence of "temple Hinduism," the masculinization of religious iconography (e.g., Ram as warrior rather than benevolent figure), and the weaponization of history to justify majoritarian politics. Ultimately, the author warns that this ideological shift risks eroding Hinduism’s inherent diversity and tolerance, replacing it with an exclusionary, state-sanctioned version of Hindu identity.
