Gunjan Choudhary

Prof. Pratik Phadkule

PACL-7107 / Policy Action Lab

15 November 2024

The Ayodhya Ram Mandir Case: A Socio-Political and

Religious Landmark
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir case has become a de ning moment in modern India's
socio-political landscape. The legal con ict over land in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh—
considered by Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Ram—has ignited debates
surrounding religious identity, secularism, politics, and cultural heritage. As the Ram
Mandir's construction draws
closer to completion, it has the
potential to reshape India's
communal and political fabric.
This research proposal aims to
explore the socio-political and
electoral consequences of the
temple's construction, with a
particular focus on its impact on
local communities, political
dynamics, and how media and
political campaigns in uence voter behaviour.

For centuries, the Ayodhya site has been a focal point of religious con ict. The Babri
Masjid, which stood there until 1992, was demolished by a large group of Hindu
activists, sparking violent communal riots and a prolonged legal battle. Over the
years, political parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have used the Ram
Mandir issue to rally Hindu voters, framing the temple's construction as a cultural and
religious reclamation. However, the project has also sparked controversy, particularly
around the displacement of residents, broken promises of development, and the rise
of Hindu nationalist sentiments.

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 Research Questions
This paper explores the following research questions to understand the socio-political
and electoral consequences of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir case:

1. What factors contributed to the BJP's unexpected loss in the Faizabad

constituency during the 2024 elections, despite the focus on the Ram Mandir?

2. How did the construction of the Ram Mandir impact the socio-economic
conditions of Ayodhya's residents, particularly those displaced by the project?

3. To what extent did media narratives and political campaigns surrounding the Ram
Mandir shape voter behaviour in the 2024 elections?

Political Implications and the Ayodhya Ram Mandir

The Ayodhya case is far more than just a legal dispute; it represents a deep
intersection of religion, politics, and identity in contemporary India. For many Hindus,
the construction of the Ram Mandir is seen as a way to reclaim a piece of their
cultural heritage. However, it also raises important questions about the secular nature
of India and the rights of its minority
communities. Politically, the Ram
Mandir has become a signi cant
rallying point, particularly for the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has
used it to mobilise Hindu nationalist
sentiment and in uence electoral
outcomes.

The groundbreaking ceremony on August 5, 2020, led by Prime Minister Narendra

Modi, was a historic moment, representing both a religious aspiration and a political
statement. As the temple nears completion, it has evolved into not only a sacred site
for millions but also a powerful political symbol, shaping the discourse around
religion, identity, and governance in India.

Electoral Dynamics and Cultural Projects

The Ram Mandir case highlights how cultural and religious movements can
signi cantly in uence political interests and voter behaviour. Interest in the temple

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 tends to rise during election periods, often bene ting parties like the BJP. In both the
2014 and 2019 general elections, the Ram Mandir issue became a central focus,
helping to rally voters who resonate with Hindu nationalism, where political agendas
often align with cultural values.

Media coverage has further ampli ed the temple's importance, particularly during key
moments such as the Supreme Court verdict and the groundbreaking ceremony. The
portrayal of the temple as a symbol of Hindu pride has especially connected with
younger voters, reinforcing cultural identity and encouraging community involvement.
Similar to other cultural initiatives, such as the European Capital of Culture, this kind
of movement has proven to increase civic engagement and voter participation. In
Ayodhya, social media has also played a key role in mobilising grassroots support,
shaping political conversations, and in uencing public sentiment.

Shifts in Political Strategy and Local Sentiments

The political focus on Ayodhya tends to shift with election cycles. During elections,
the Ram Mandir becomes a central
issue, helping to rally voters. After 1%
the elections, however, attention 1%
often moves to development projects 3%
related to infrastructure and tourism. 8%
This raises important questions about
whether these developments truly
46%
bene t local communities or are
p r i m a r i l y d r ive n by p o l i t i c a l 41%
motivations.

Despite the signi cant investment

the BJP has made in the Ram Mandir
project, the party faced an Samajwadi Party - SP
Bharatiya Janata Party - BJP
unexpected setback in the 2024 Indian National Congress - INC
Rashtriya Lok Dal - RLD
elections. The Samajwadi Party (SP) Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) - ASPKR
Apna Dal (Soneylal) - ADAL
won the Faizabad constituency,
which includes Ayodhya, defeating the BJP's candidate Lallu Singh by more than

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 54,000 votes. This result was particularly surprising given the BJP’s heavy focus on the
temple and associated infrastructure.

Unmet Expectations and Community Impact

For the residents of Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir project has been both a source of hope
and frustration. While many celebrate the temple as a historic milestone, others feel
disillusioned with the BJP's promises. Many locals claim that the assurances made
during the temple's construction have not been met, with reports of displacement and
inadequate compensation for those affected. This has led to growing resentment
among people who feel their concerns have been overlooked in favour of political
symbolism.

Journalist Urmilesh highlighted the human cost of the project, pointing out that many
residents were displaced without fair compensation. This sentiment is echoed by
locals who faced disruptions to their homes and livelihoods, raising concerns about
the broader socio-economic impact of the Ram Mandir project.

Methodology
1. Sampling:
To better understand the impact of the Ram Mandir project, we'll use a mixed-
methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research. The
target group will consist of Ayodhya's residents, local business owners, political
analysts, and election campaigners. To ensure a well-rounded perspective, we'll
use a strati ed random sampling technique. This will help us capture a diverse
range of opinions based on factors like socio-economic background, political
views, and the types of businesses in the area.

2. Data Collection:
For the data collection, we'll gather both statistical and personal insights. We'll
distribute surveys to residents to collect quantitative data on their views about the
Ram Mandir, how it has impacted their lives, and how it has in uenced their
voting behaviour. Additionally, we'll conduct in-depth interviews with local
leaders, business owners, and political analysts to better understand the local
political environment and how the community perceives the construction of the
temple. We'll also review secondary sources, such as media coverage, election

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 results, government records, and existing studies on the subject, to provide
context and a broader perspective.

Conclusion
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir case encapsulates India's complex interplay of religion,
politics, and identity. While it represents a cultural milestone for many Hindus, it also
underscores the challenges of reconciling faith with inclusive development. As the
temple nears completion, its socio-political impact will continue to shape India's
communal harmony, political discourse, and development trajectory. The 2024
elections revealed the limits of symbolic politics, emphasising the need for tangible
bene ts to address the concerns of affected communities. The Ayodhya case remains a
microcosm of India's broader struggles with secularism, identity, and communal
harmony, offering lessons for the future of Indian democracy.

Questionnaire
1. Have you noticed any signi cant changes in Ayodhya's development or tourism
infrastructure since the Ram Mandir project began?

2. Do you think these development efforts are primarily motivated by upcoming

elections?

3. Are the development projects in Ayodhya consistent throughout the year, or do

they appear concentrated near election periods?

4. How has the Ram Mandir project impacted your business or livelihood? (e.g.,
increased footfall, more opportunities, challenges)

5. Have improvements in roads, electricity, or public facilities met the needs of local
residents and businesses?

6. Has there been a noticeable rise in tourists? If yes, has the local infrastructure
adequately supported this growth?

7. Were residents or business owners consulted or involved in planning the

development projects?

8. What types of development projects have been initiated in Ayodhya since the Ram
Mandir project started?

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 9. Are these projects linked to election cycles, or are they part of a long-term
development strategy?

10. How is the success of development projects in Ayodhya being measured? Are
there any metrics for assessing public satisfaction or impact?

Sources / References
1. Why Modi’s BJP was defeated in Ayodhya where they built a grand temple ...

2. Measuring the Impacts of Large Scale Cultural Events: A Literature Review

3. TV Consumption Patterns and the Impact of Media Freedom on Political ...

4. The Impact of Social Media Political Activists on Voting Patterns

5. http://www.liv.ac.uk/impacts08/Dissemination/I08reports.htm

6. IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Civil

Appeal ...

7. From ‘Shame’ to ‘Pride’ — How media changed its colours about the Ram ...

8. 'Nation's Shame' To 'Ram Mandir For India’, How Media Coverage Of ...

9. Ram Mandir Consecration: How international media covered Ayodha event

10. Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha: How Foreign Media Covered Ram ...

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