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Rights groups protest politicizing of Ram Temple consecration
The rights leaders maintained that the consecration ceremony was “rushed” and used as an attempt to “weaponize Hinduism"
A Times Square projection protests the Indian government’s abuse of religion for partisan political gain / Hindus for Human Rights
US-based rights groups staged a vast “Don’t Weaponize Faith” projection in Times Square to protest the “abuse” of religion for political gain. The groups protested after the Modi-led consecration of the Ram Temple was live streamed to large crowds of BJP supporters.
Hindus for Human Rights’ Sunita Viswanath said, “This is obviously an electoral stunt, it should not be happening in the name of my faith. Modi is not a priest, so leading this ceremony for political gain is both technically and morally wrong. This weaponization of our religion tramples what’s left of India’s secular democratic values.”
The groups noted that four Shankaracharyas – key Hindu religious authorities – boycotted the event on the pretext that a Hindu temple cannot be consecrated before it is completed. The consecration ceremony is being held after the first phase of the temple’s construction. The full temple is expected to be completed by 2024.
The rights leaders maintained that the consecration ceremony was “rushed” and used as an attempt to “weaponize Hinduism in the name of the BJP’s repressive nationalist ideology, ahead of national elections in May.”
“This site in India has long stood for the perverse exploitation of religion to cause strife and bloodshed for political gain. It’s fitting that Modi should effectively launch his 2024 election campaign here. He builds temples while razing democracy,” said Ricken Patel, founder of Friends of Democracy and human rights group Avaaz.
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