In a grand ceremony that drew hundreds of millions of Hindus, the inauguration of the Ayodhya temple in northern India has sparked anxiety among many in the country. The decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to preside over the event on a site that has been at the center of a long-standing ownership dispute between Hindus and Muslims has triggered accusations of mixing politics with religion.

The inauguration ceremony, a mega-event attended by thousands of religious leaders, politicians, Bollywood actors, and business leaders, took place in Ayodhya city, Uttar Pradesh state. The city was adorned for the occasion but heavily fortified by thousands of security forces. Millions of Hindus around the world who couldn't attend in person followed the event closely on television.

The newly constructed temple, which stands on one of Hinduism's most sacred sites, is a three-story pink sandstone structure honoring Lord Ram, a highly revered deity. However, the site was previously occupied by a mosque built in the 16th century by the Muslim Mughal Empire ruler Babur. The mosque was demolished illegally by Hindu hardliners in 1992, leading to deadly Hindu-Muslim riots.

For nearly two decades, right-wing political parties, including Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rallied for the construction of the Ram Temple. The Muslim community fought legal battles to prevent the construction and retain control of the site. However, a 2019 ruling by the Supreme Court favored the Hindus, granting them the disputed land for the temple construction while providing an alternate piece of land for Muslims to build a mosque.

The inauguration of the Ayodhya temple is expected to bolster Modi and BJP ahead of the upcoming general elections, where Modi seeks a third term. Critics argue that Modi's focus on Hindu nationalism and marginalizing the Muslim population has contributed to the rise in support for his party. By fulfilling the BJP's vow to construct the temple, Modi has further solidified their position in power.

During the ceremony, Modi oversaw the consecration ceremony for an idol of Lord Ram and emphasized the restoration of Hindu pride. He declared that India is embarking on a new era and expressed the desire to build a capable and divine India for the next 1,000 years. The ceremonial opening of the ground floor of the temple on Monday has drawn criticism, with opponents accusing Modi of politicizing the religious event.

The Indian National Congress, along with several other Hindu opposition political parties, chose not to attend the inauguration, condemning the BJP's politicization of the temple. They questioned the timing of the event, suggesting it was strategically planned for electoral gain.

Despite the controversy, the partially completed Ayodhya temple is expected to be fully constructed by the end of the year. The inauguration ceremony has left a lasting image of Modi as the leader who reinstated Lord Ram at his birthplace and has further fueled debates surrounding the intertwining of religion and politics in India.