Jeddah: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed “grave worry” over the construction of the Ram Temple at the site of the 16th-century Babri Masjid, which was demolished by Hindutva extremists in the Indian city of Ayodhya. Following the inauguration ceremony of the Ram temple, Hindu mobs have been on a rampage attacking Muslims and chanting provocative slogans all across India.
In a statement OIC, the organization of 57 Islamic countries stated that, according to the OIC’s position expressed in the previous meetings of the Foreign Ministers Council, the General Secretariat denounces the actions aimed at erasing the symbols and landmarks of Islamic civilization, which have been standing at the same place for five centuries.
“In line with the OIC position expressed by the Council of Foreign Ministers in its previous sessions, the General Secretariat denounces these actions aimed at obliterating the Islamic landmarks represented by the Babri Mosque, which has stood tall in the exact location for five centuries.” OIC statement read.
Pakistan also condemned the construction and consecration of the Ram Temple, characterizing it as indicative of growing majoritarianism in India and the marginalization of Indian Muslims.
It should be noted that in the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Temple on Monday, January 22, about 7,000 people participated, when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of the Hindu deity Ram in the new temple, situated at the same place where the Babri Masjid stood for centuries, martyred at the hands of Hindu extremists in 1992.
In the aftermath of the inauguration ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya on the site of the demolished Babri Masjid, incidents of religiously motivated violence of Hindutva extremists targeting Muslims have erupted across India, particularly in Mumbai and other locations. Hindutva mobs, seemingly emboldened by the official celebrations, have been on a rampage for consecutive days in Mumbai. In the Mira Road area, these mobs have reportedly targeted Muslim pedestrians and vandalized vehicles and properties owned by Muslims. Disturbingly, in Darbhanga, Bihar state, during a procession celebrating the temple construction, Muslim graves were set on fire.
Muslims in Mumbai have raised concerns about harassment by Hindutva mobs, who are celebrating the temple’s construction by chanting provocative and Islamophobic slogans. Complaints also extend to accusations against the police for purportedly overlooking Hindutva provocations. In Sangareddy, Telangana state, a Hindutva mob burned down the shop of a Muslim man named Abdul Qadeer, chanting slogans praising Hindu deity Ram.
The situation has raised alarm, as many experts had already foretold the possibility of violence by Hindutva groups following the inauguration ceremony. Experts say that the inauguration of the Hindu temple marks a perilous moment for India’s religious minorities. They contend that the event is the culmination of a campaign of Hindu supremacist violence against Muslims, underlining the urgent need for attention and intervention to address the escalating tensions.
The Babri Mosque, existing for centuries, was demolished on December 6, 1992, by groups of Hindu extremists, leading to severe riots and 2,000 deaths, mostly Muslims. In November 2019, India’s Supreme Court in a controversial ruling permitted the construction of the temple at the site of Babri Masjid.
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