Ram and Ram Rajya: The Babri Masjid / Ramjanmabhumi Dispute and the Politicization of a Divinity

Abstract

This article investigates the political transformation of Shri Ram’s image in modern India, particularly through the lens of the Babri Masjid/Ramjanmabhumi dispute. Blank argues that the depiction of Ram as a militant emblem of Hindu nationalism is a recent development rather than a continuation of ancient tradition. Tracing the historical and archaeological uncertainties surrounding Ayodhya, the article notes the absence of conclusive evidence linking it to Ram’s birthplace or to the demolition of a Ram temple in 1528. Moreover, it highlights the lack of widespread Ram worship in Ayodhya before the second millennium.
The politicization accelerated after idols of Ram appeared in the Babri Masjid in 1949, leading to its reopening in 1986 and eventual demolition in 1992, transforming a local place of worship into a communal flashpoint. Central to the article is the striking evolution of Ram’s iconography—from the peaceful, dharmic ruler of traditional depictions to a hyper-masculine, militarized figure in contemporary Hindu nationalist imagery. Blank contrasts this aggressive portrayal with Ram’s portrayal in the Valmiki Ramayana as a meditative and principled kshatriya, who renounced unnecessary violence and remained committed to truth and dharma.
Finally, the article critiques the Hindu nationalist movement for attempting to codify a monolithic religious ideology where none historically existed. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates are described as more nationalist than religious in origin, arising in response to Western modernity rather than inter-religious conflict. The construction of a politicized, militant Ram is thus seen as part of a broader effort to reshape Indian identity through selective reinterpretation of religious symbols.