In Aligarh, on campus and off, Ram Temple as much about prayer as power

IN THE canteen adjoining the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering on the sprawling campus of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), students are milling around during a break in the classes. Hritik, Vivek and Shivam, all MSc students, are having a conversation about upcoming exams over steaming tea. A question on the Ram Temple surprises them. But after some hesitation, the three agree; yes, they approve its upcoming inauguration on January 22.

All three of them Brahmin, they say the event is a matter of faith for millions of Hindus, and nothing to do with politics. “It is a matter of Hindu self-respect,” says one. While Hritik gives the credit for the temple to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vivek interjects: “It is (L K) Advani and (former Uttar Pradesh CM) Kalyan Singh who should get the credit. Modi is merely inaugurating it.”

At another table, where four students of engineering belonging to the Muslim community are sitting, questions regarding the Ram Temple are met with careful reticence.

Their initial reaction is “no problem”, that the temple is being built as per a court order. However, after a few minutes, they open up.

“The politics around it is not good for the country, it is taking away from the real issues,” says Riyaz, who is worried about jobs after finishing his engineering course. “There is no employment.”

The four also question the poor healthcare facilities in the country, the low budget for education — “even the IPL budget is more” – and, especially, the “divisive” politics of the BJP. “What they have done to the country will take years to change even after they are gone,” says one of them.

Ashfaq adds that it is not about holding on to hope. “Maybe awareness is the key, and that cannot come from education alone.