On January 22nd 2024, the Ram Mandir Temple in Ayodhya, India was consecrated at a star studded event. The temple was erected at the site of a 500 year old mosque, which was demolished in 1992. The demolition led to the death of 2,000 Indians in the riots that followed, the vast majority of whom were Muslims.

Like many of Narindra Modi’s “accomplishments” in his decade as Prime Minister of India, the building of the temple was a sign of the rise of Hindu Nationalism, and Modi’s indifference (at best), and encouragement of the rise of Islamophobic sentiments throughout the country. A country, that for the majority of its rich history, has been a shining example of religious coexistence.

This comes to no surprise for those familiar with Modi, whose entire career was based off of appeasing extreme Hindu nationalist sentiments and stoking flames with minority groups. The BBC’s documentary “India: The Modi Question” explores Modi’s rise to power. Specifically, it highlights his role as governor of Gujarat, where Modi refused to put any security resistance in place when Hindu nationalists began massacring Muslims.

The documentary is banned in India, but is still available on streaming sites.

Modi has not been satisfied with only massacring Muslims in his own country, and has both enabled and encouraged Israeli cleansing in Gaza by providing weapons and labor to Israel in the last 4 months. Indian Trade Unions have refused to support to this, showing the widening disconnect between Modi and his BJP Party’s interests and the true values of the country and its people.

The longer that Modi remains in power, the longer the hopes for peace remain crushed

Acrylic on Canvas 12  x 16"