Overview

• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking a significant moment in the country's shift towards Hindu nationalism.
• The temple, built on the site of a mosque destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992, has been a source of controversy and was the cause of religious riots that resulted in the deaths of 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.
• The inauguration is seen as the unofficial start of Modi's re-election campaign, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking a third consecutive term in power.
• Observers note that the temple's opening could contribute to Delhi's soft power projection in parts of Southeast Asia, where Hinduism and Buddhism have historical influences.
• Progressive International warns that the temple's inauguration signals an erosion of Indian democracy and a move towards 'full-fledged fascism', calling on global progressive forces to stand vigilant ahead of India's general elections in April.