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Modi Hails A New ‘Divine India’ As He Inaugurates Controversial Hindu Temple Ahead Of Nationwide Elections

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Modi Hails A New ‘Divine India’ As He Inaugurates Controversial Hindu Temple Ahead Of Nationwide Elections

Millions of people throughout India watched the opening of a massive Hindu temple on Monday, an event seen as the pinnacle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist objectives months before he seeks a rare third term in office.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, will be inaugurated in northern India’s Ayodhya after more than 30 years of preparation and is expected to give Modi’s election campaign a significant boost.

The Ram Mandir is realizing Modi’s aim of creating a “new India,” which many believe will transform the country into a distinctly Hindu nation.

For Modi’s adversaries, the temple’s inauguration marks the completion of a decades-long drive to distance India from the secular roots on which the country was built after independence.

“Today, our Lord Ram has arrived. After generations of waiting, our Ram has finally arrived. “After centuries of unprecedented patience, countless sacrifices, renunciations, and penances, our Lord Ram has arrived,” Modi declared from the newly-constructed temple, which was adorned with colourful flowers, before an audience of 7,000 people, including movie stars, top cricket players, and tycoons.

“Ram is not a dispute, Ram is the solution,” he said.

Monday’s ceremony fulfils a long-standing promise Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government made to voters, which helped drive them to power in 2014.

In a deadly 1992 attack that sparked the nation’s Hindu nationalist movement, violent Hindu hardliners destroyed a 16th-century mosque on the site of a temple that Modi and his political supporters had long promised to erect.

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Modi Hails A New ‘Divine India’ As He Inaugurates Controversial Hindu Temple Ahead Of Nationwide Elections

The BJP and other right-wing parties pushed for the mosque’s demolition, which propelled the party into mainstream politics and helped it win a general election four years later.

In his speech, Modi made no direct mention of the Babri Masjid or the country’s Muslims, many of whom are deeply saddened by the events in Ayodhya. He did mention moving forward and “the beginning of a new time cycle.”

“From today, from this hallowed time, we must create the groundwork for the next 1,000 years. By moving forward with the temple construction, we are all taking a pledge to establish a national, capable, successful, beautiful, and divine India,” Modi stated.

On Monday, Modi presided over the Pran Pratishtha, or consecration ceremony, of an idol of Lord Ram, one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, within the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. The black stone statue depicted a young boy and was embellished with gold jewellery, gemstones, diamonds, and flowers.

Outside, military helicopters hovered over the temple and city, showering flower petals on the massive structure and hundreds of dignitaries below.

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’s right-wing parent organization, spoke at the occasion, stating that the temple “has become a symbol of a new India that will stand tall.”

“It has been said, and we know, that today in Ayodhya, along with Lord Ram, India’s self has returned,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, where Ayodhya is located, and one of the country’s most polarising political figures, described the Ram Mandir as India’s “national temple” and an “important ritual of cultural reawakening.”

Saffron flags soared high all day, and marigold flowers adorned building doors as tens of thousands of believers marched through the ancient town’s streets in joyous processions.

“For 500 years, Lord Ram was living in a hut,” devotee Acharya Mohanjodaro Bharadwaj told CNN, alluding to the time the Mughal-era mosque was constructed. “Today Modi made him sit inside a temple, the whole country is celebrating it like it’s Diwali.”

Celebrations were held nationwide, with officials pushing people to celebrate in their homes and temples, ensuring it became a national event.

Uttar Pradesh proclaimed Monday a public holiday, with schools and liquor businesses closed throughout the state.

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Modi Hails A New ‘Divine India’ As He Inaugurates Controversial Hindu Temple Ahead Of Nationwide Elections

Hundreds of Indian diaspora members gathered in New York on Sunday to celebrate the inauguration in front of a giant image of Lord Ram shown on a Times Square screen. Indian embassies around the world had watch parties.

While millions of Hindus hailed the unveiling of the long-awaited complex, which they regard as Ram’s birthplace, the country’s minority Muslim community saw it as a bitter reminder of religious tensions that they worry will worsen under Modi’s BJP rule.

The temple site was originally home to the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque built during the Mughal Empire’s reign over India from 1526 to 1858.

However, the site has been debated for decades.

Many Hindus think the mosque was erected over the remnants of a Hindu temple that Babar, the first Mughal emperor in South Asia, purportedly demolished.

In 1992, right-wing organizations like the BJP and other groups supported Hindu hardliners who attacked the mosque, sparking widespread communal rioting that claimed over 2,000 lives nationwide.

The violence was among the most severe seen in India since the deadly battles that accompanied partition after independence in 1947.

In the years that followed, Hindu nationalists banded together to build the Ram Mandir on the site of the destroyed mosque, setting the groundwork for a decades-long emotional and political standoff.

In 2019, India’s Supreme Court permitted Hindus to build the temple on the contested site, effectively resolving the matter. It was viewed as a success by Modi and his supporters, but it was a setback for many Muslims, who saw the destruction of the Babri Masjid as a source of significant stress and historic loss.

Ayodhya is home to almost 3 million people, including approximately 500,000 Muslims, and some of them are concerned about attacks on the day of the temple’s opening.

Many people have expressed their support for one another on social media, with WhatsApp messages asking the community to avoid taking public transport for safety reasons.

Maulana Badshah Khan, 65, recently told CNN that he will remain home on Monday.

“The wounds left by the destruction of the Babri Mosque will never heal. Even if we are discouraged about expressing them,” Khan stated. “The temple holds the symbolic value of showing the Muslims their place in New India.”

‘Blurred lines’ between religion and government

Others have accused Modi of “weaponizing” the Hindu faith and exploiting the Ram Temple for political purposes.

“Objections include the fact that Modi is not a religious leader and thus unqualified to lead the ceremony, and that a Hindu temple cannot be consecrated until it is completed,” said a statement from Hindus for Human Rights, a US-based non-profit advocacy group.

Mr Modi “rushing through and fronting it himself is the latest attempt to weaponize Hinduism in the name of the BJP’s repressive nationalist ideology, ahead of national elections in May,” he said in the statement.

Modi came to office in 2014 with a promise to restructure the country’s economy and usher in a new era of growth, but he also actively promoted a Hindutva agenda, which holds that India should become a land for Hindus.

His promise to build the Ram Mandir contributed to the initial election win.

Modi Hails A New ‘Divine India’ As He Inaugurates Controversial Hindu Temple Ahead Of Nationwide Elections

Monday’s temple opening is expected to bolster Modi’s chances of winning a rare third term in a general election later this year, as he fulfilled his pledge to millions of voters.

In the lead-up to his inauguration, Modi fasted and prayed in an 11-day ceremony steeped in Hindu religious symbolism. As part of the festivities, Modi visited Lord Ram shrines and temples all around the country.”The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration,” he stated in a taped message posted on his YouTube page.

On Sunday, Modi shared a video on social networking site X depicting himself walking into the sea and drowning at the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in southern Tamil Nadu.

Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of “The Demolition and the Verdict,” a book about the 1992 mosque demolition, believes Modi’s decision to preside over Monday’s festivities demonstrates “Hindu hegemony” in India.

“Lines between politics and religions have gotten blurred,” he remarked of Modi’s participation in the ceremony in an officially secular country.

“They’ve also blurred the line between religion and the Indian state. You currently have an Indian prime minister who is partaking in a completely religious activity with the full support of the official machinery.

SOURCE – (CNN)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

Election News

Biden Blasted for CNN Interview Saying “Americans Have the Money to Spend”

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President Joe Biden sat down with CNN’s Erin Burnett
President Joe Biden sat down with CNN’s Erin Burnett: Screen Shot

In a rare appearance with CNN, President Biden refused to acknowledge that Americans’ troubles with inflation saying Americans have more money in their pockets thanks to my policies. “They have the money to spend” he told CNN.

According to polls, voters are concerned about Biden’s economic policies. He did admit that inflation, one of the major problems that harmed Biden’s popularity during the first half of his administration, was real.

‘It is true, but the fact is that if you look at what people have, they have enough money to spend,’ he asserted. He blamed the lack of consumer confidence on ‘greedy companies’.

‘It irritates them, as much as me, that you must spend more. For example, consider the whole concept of shrinkflation. It’s around 20% less for the same price; this is corporate greed. It is corporate greed, and we must deal with it.’

Biden’s words sparked outrage on social media, despite the fact that many Americans are still struggling.

One critic remarked on X: ‘Most people don’t have the money because they are honest, unlike pathological liar Joe!’

Another on X stated; ‘He is the most stupid president our country has ever had, and that is how history will remember him.’

‘The man is out of touch with everything,’ said another.

He admitted that inflation was an issue, but opted to blame ‘greedy businesses’ for the public’s lack of trust in the economy.

Biden’s approval Rating Plummeting

In a recent CNN poll, Biden’s approval ratings for the economy (34%) and inflation (29%) were both poor. When it comes to electing a president, voters are most concerned about the economy.

‘The polling data has been inaccurate all along,’ Biden said of the figures, disputing the effectiveness of phone polls.

‘We’ve already turned it around,’ Biden said when asked if he was running out of time to change voters’ perceptions of him with less than six months until Election Day.

‘I guess I’m pleased with the campaign’s progress. And, from what I’ve seen, most people don’t truly focus and make up their minds until the fall. There’s a lot going on,’ he added.

In an interview with CNN done in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Biden stated why he believes the polls are wrong and warned Israel that if it invades Rafah, he will withhold US arms.

Robert Kennedy Jr a Wildcard

Biden’s re-election campaign has highlighted its large fundraising efforts and on-the-ground presence in battleground states. They also point out that Trump is required to appear in New York for the trial.

Meanwhile, Biden is dealing with an uncertain Middle East and progressives who are dissatisfied with his unwavering support for Israel and the treatment of Palestinian refugees.

Then there’s Robert Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign. Both Trump and Biden’s campaigns are concerned that Kennedy will play a spoiler role, diverting votes away from them.

Trump has stepped up his criticism on RFK Jr., and Biden has announced a dozen Kennedy family endorsements to offset RFK Jr.’s use of the clan’s political legacy.

Biden’s health remains a concern. The president will turn 82 just weeks after Election Day, November 5, and is already the oldest president in American history; Trump is 77.

His approval rating remains at a low 38 percent, according to Gallup polls.

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Trump Rally in New Jersey Sees Nearly 100,000 Attendees

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Trump Holds Massive Rally in New Jersey Nearly 100,000 Attend

Former President Donald Trump attended a rally in New Jersey on Saturday, again blaming President Joe Biden for the court cases he is facing as the probable Republican nominees prepare to square off in the November 2024 presidential election.

Blasting President Biden as “a total moron,” Trump repeatedly described the cases against him as politically motivated and timed to hurt his campaigning ability in front of a gathering of almost 100,000 people.

“He is a fool. “He’s not a smart man,” Trump stated about Biden. “I talk about him differently now because now the gloves are off.”

Lisa Fagan, a spokesman for the city of Wildwood, where the protest was held, told The Associated Press that she estimated a throng of approximately 100,000 people based on her personal observations on the ground Saturday, having witnessed “dozens” of prior events in the same place.

Several high-profile endorsers joined Trump on stage, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute in New York in 2011.

The beachfront gathering, described by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., as the largest political gathering in state history, was intended to serve as a show of force at a critical time for Trump, who is facing dozens of felony charges in four separate criminal cases with the election less than six months away.

Massive Crow of Trump Supporters

Thousands of Trump supporters, dressed in “Never Surrender” T-shirts and red “Make America Great Again” hats, gathered onto the sand between the boardwalk and carnival attractions to meet the former Republican president hours before he took the stage.

“The everyday American people are 100% behind him,” said Doreen O’Neill, a 62-year-old Philadelphia nurse.

“They have to cheat and smear him and humiliate him in that courtroom every single day,” O’Neill stated. “This country is going to go insane if they steal the election again.”

Trump has repeatedly accused the Biden administration and Democratic leaders in New York of exploiting the court system to prevent his return to the White House. Prosecutors claim the former president breached the law to conceal an affair with a porn performer that would have jeopardized his first presidential campaign.

On Saturday, Trump said that even those he accuses of politically motivated indictments did not pursue every case they could, citing the boosts his campaign has received with each wave of accusations.

“I heard they were going to do a couple of other things and they said from Washington … ‘we’re indicting him into the White House,'” Trump stated. “They said, ‘Don’t do it.'”

Gag Order from New York Judge

While Trump seized on his legal difficulties on Saturday, a judge’s gag order — and the possibility of incarceration — limit his ability to publicly remark on witnesses, jurors, and anyone involved in the New York trial, which is anticipated to last most of the month. The court in the case has already fined Trump $9,000 for breaking the injunction and warned him he might face jail time if he does not comply.

The order makes no mention of Judge Juan M. Merchan, whom Trump described as “highly conflicted,” or District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both of whom Trump claimed are “doing the bidding for crooked Joe Biden.”

Trump’s role as a defendant has reduced his capacity to persuade voters on the campaign trail.

He spent last week’s off-day from court in Wisconsin and Michigan, both battleground states for the general election. And on Saturday, he campaigned with tens of thousands of voters in New Jersey, a solidly Democratic state.

Parts of New Jersey contain deep-red enclaves, and the southern shoreline in particular attracts tourists and summer homeowners from neighboring Pennsylvania, a vital swing state.

Saturday’s trip to the New Jersey Shore resort was not Trump’s first.

While president, Trump staged a rally in January 2020 to celebrate Van Drew, a New Jersey congressman who had recently defected from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in response to the former president’s first impeachment.

Trump drew a crowd that lined the streets, packed bars, and supported countless merchants in what is typically a sleepy city in the winter. The summer season is almost here for the resort noted for its large beaches, boardwalk games, and shops.

Wildwood is located in New Jersey’s 2nd District, which Van Drew has served for three terms and includes all or part of six counties in southern New Jersey. It voted for Trump in 2016 and again in 2020, despite previously supporting Barack Obama.

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Election Violence Increasing in Mexico, 30 Candidates Already Killed

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Election Violence Increasing in Mexico

Mexico’s general election will occur in early June, marking the end of a record-breaking campaign season. Approximately 30 candidates have been killed in the last month.

Mexico is experiencing unrestrained electoral violence. Noé Ramos Ferretiz, a candidate for the municipal presidency of Mante, a city in Tamaulipas, was stabbed multiple times while campaigning last Friday.

The lawmaker, a member of the National Action Party (PAN), died in the middle of the ceremony, shocking his fans. Following that, photographs of blood-stained pamphlets circulated widely.

More than 270 political candidates in Mexico have requested official protection ahead of the June general election, highlighting a cycle of political violence that is undermining Mexican democracy.

According to Semafor, at least 15 federal candidates have been slain this campaign season, and 28 have been attacked, although this is only a fraction of the violence observed among the 70,000 candidates competing for municipal and state elections. Over the past five years, independent think tanks have reported over 800 political attacks.

According to analysts, government policy has long overlooked addressing the root causes of teenage involvement in organized crime, and the topic has emerged as a prominent discussion subject among presidential candidates.

Voters in Mexico Discouraged

A Mexican election security think tank director told El Economista that each attack on a candidate reduces voter turnout by roughly 1.3%. Voters are aware that organized crime is “violating their public administration, state, and government,” according to the director, and many people believe that their vote will have little impact on violence.

Political violence in Mexico has increased significantly under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and former President Enrique Peña Nieto. According to El Economista, political murders are now three times greater than in the mid-2000s.

The National Electoral Institute (INE) has released a uniform security protocol to protect candidates, but Animal Politico, a socialist online publication, claims that the strategy “does not cover the vast majority of victims” who are local government officials.

According to the paper, approximately 77% of political victims in Mexico are candidates running for city or state government. However, the past three presidential administrations have prioritized federal law enforcement over “strengthening local institutions,” such as cracking down on corruption among local police.

Hugs Not Bullets

Animal Politico suggested that local economic and social change must occur “in parallel” with INE security protocols to prevent organized crime from infiltrating local law enforcement.

Critics have lambasted Claudia Sheinbaum, one of the presidential candidates running in June, for endorsing López Obrador’s “hugs, not bullets” strategy to ending the so-called drug war. Supporters of the method claim it is an attempt to “moralize” the federal security force, while analysts argue the tactic has contributed to an increase in violence in Mexico.

Sheinbaum is rebranding “hugs, not bullets” as a socioeconomic reform strategy as she faces increased criticism over the spike in political assassinations. “Of course, it’s not about hugging criminals; no one has ever said that,” Sheinbaum said at a recent rally, adding that her security program will prioritize economic growth to keep Mexican kids out of organized crime.

Despite López Obrador’s history of violence, he remains widely popular, and Sheinbaum, whom The New York Times refers to as his “protégée,” leads opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez by 30 points, according to one recent poll.

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