On January 22, in the presence of saints, a number of notable visitors, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the historic ‘Pran Pratistha’ rite of Ram Lalla was performed.Pakistan government officials have shared their displeasure over the event.However, many who opposed the Ayodhya ceremony referred to the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid and the ensuing religious violence as “a dark day for India” during their criticism of the event.
“Deplorably, India’s superior judiciary not only acquitted the criminals responsible for this despicable act but also allowed the construction of a temple on the site of the demolished mosque,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Developments of the last 31 years, leading to today’s consecration ceremony, are indicative of growing majoritarianism in India. These constitute an important facet of the ongoing efforts for social, economic and political marginalization of the Indian Muslims,” it said.
The rising ideology of ‘Hindutva’ is a threat to peace: Pakistan officials
“The rising tide of ‘Hindutva’ ideology in India poses a serious threat to religious harmony and regional peace. The Chief Ministers of two major Indian states, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, are on record as citing the Babri Mosque’s demolition or inauguration of the ‘Ram Temple’ as the first step towards reclaiming parts of Pakistan,” it further said.
“The international community should take cognizance of the growing Islamophobia, hate speech and hate crimes in India. The United Nations and other relevant international organizations should play their part in saving the Islamic heritage sites in India from extremist groups and ensuring the protection of the religious and cultural rights of the minorities in India, it ended.
The consecration was celebrated all around the world
Indian embassies around the world have been working nonstop to promote awareness of the shrine. Indian missions broadcast live coverage of the Ayodhya event on Monday. The freshly constructed mandir and the Hindu deity Ram were pictured in prominent locations like Times Square, New York. Indians marched in support of the temple festival in Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, the US, the UK, and other nations while holding saffron flags and singing “Jai Shree Ram.”
A diaspora celebration in Auckland, New Zealand, drew thousands of attendees, including Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan, MP David Seymour, and the nation’s minister for Ethnic Communities, Melissa Lee.
Inaugurating its first Ram temple on the eve of the pranpratishtha event in Ayodhya was Queretaro, in Mexico. An American priest conducted the ritual using idols that were imported from India.
Atsushi Matsuo, CEO, TEM Co., head of a business that created the 1992 animated film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, gave Indian Ambassador Sibi George a calendar with a Ramayana theme while she was in Japan. George had attended a Ramayana play the Indian children in Japan had staged a few days earlier.An ashram in Bali hosted a puja. The ashram’s founder and winner of the Padma Shri, Ida Rsi Putra Manuaba, conducted the prayers.
Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai Kobbi Shoshani visited the Ram mandir in Wadala in solidarity while the Israel Embassy Spokesperson Guy Nir posted a picture of himself watching the “exciting” celebrations on television.
By: Gursharan Kaur