_x000D_Screenshot: Narendra Modi (youtube.com)

The Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India, inaugurated in January 2024, stands over what historical structure?

In a plot twist history itself might have penned, the Ram Mandir temple, ceremoniously opened on Jan. 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now stands tall over what was once the Babri Masjid. This mosque, dating back to the 16th century, found itself in the eye of a historical and religious storm when it was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992. This demolition sparked widespread riots, leading to nearly 2,000 unfortunate deaths. Fast forward to 2019, when India’s Supreme Court handed over the disputed land to Hindus, ending a saga that had the nation’s rapt attention for decades. This decision paved the way for the BJP-led government to fulfill a longstanding promise and erect the Ram Mandir temple. Just months before the general elections, the temple’s opening adds a dash of political spice to this religious and cultural milestone.