Controversial Temple on Site of Razed Mosque Highlights Hindu Nationalism in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a major Hindu temple built on the site of a razed historic mosque, drawing attention to religious nationalism in the world’s most populous country. 

For Context: The site in the northern city of Ayodhya was home to the 16th-century Babri Mosque until a violent Hindu mob destroyed it in 1992; Hindus say the site is the birthplace of Lord Ram, and historic Muslim Mughals razed a Hindu temple to build the mosque. Thus, the temple is a point of tension between the country’s Hindu majority and its 200 million Muslims. Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promoted Hindu nationalism in the traditionally secular democracy, called the new Hindu temple the “dawn of a new era.” Thousands traveled to Ayodhya to celebrate the inauguration.

How the Media Covered It: Coverage was common in mainstream outlets but rare in right-rated outlets. Some left-rated outlets described the event somewhat politically. CNN (Lean Left bias) called BJP a “right-wing group” and highlighted “grief and anxiety” among local Muslims; TIME (Lean Left bias) called the temple “a huge monument to Hindu supremacy.” The Hindustan Times (Center bias), an Indian English-language news site, focused on the celebrations surrounding the temple.