Ram Temple is almost here, but what next for Hindutva politics?

Aditi Phadnis and Shikha Shalini look at what gains, if any, the Ram temple construction may bring to the BJP

“For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is a dream come true,” said a member of the party’s state executive after the date for the bhumi pujan (ground-breaking ceremony) was announced. “What’s its electoral dividend…now that we’re building a temple? Zero.”

He continued: “When the (Supreme Court) judgment cleared the way for the temple, did you see any reaction? The excitement of mobilisation, of making a case, of sensitising the Hindu within all Indians…all that was in the journey. But now we’ve reached the destination and there can be only quiet satisfaction that