The Faith DEBATE

What is the significance of the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and what will be its impact on the new India-its politics, caste equations and cultural identities? Politicians, academics, authors and commentators weigh in on these vital questions

"Let's have the politics of Lord Ram, not politics over Lord Ram"

AMISH TRIPATHI

Author

LOOKING AT THE PAST, the Ram Janmabhoomi temple is symbolic of the resilience of Indian society, and the civilisational resurgence that we have seen for some decades now. This is like a homecoming of Lord Ram all over again, very similar to his return to Ayodhya after his vanvaas in the Ramayana. The temple is, in a way, symbolic of the commitment of our ancestors and a promise to our descendants-our culture will live and thrive. Looking to the future, the temple will be a driver for all that we can be as our nation strives to establish Ram Rajya again. We must use the positive energy unleashed to build a new Ram Rajya, where Dharma and righteousness reign above all. What I would like to see is the politics of Lord Ram, rather than politics over Lord Ram.

"TO CALL IT RESURGENCE DOES NOT FIT HISTORY, BUT ADVERTISING"

SHIV VISVANATHAN

Social anthropologist and Director, Centre for the Study of Knowledge Systems, O.P. Jindal Global University