Modi opens flashpoint temple symbolising 'new era' for India

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00:00 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in devotional prayers at Monday's inauguration

00:06 of a newly built grand temple at what Hindus believe is the birthplace of the god Ram.

00:11 "Our beloved Lord Ram is returning. What greater source of happiness could there be

00:16 for us Ayodhya residents and for the rest of the world?"

00:21 For centuries, the spot had been occupied by the historic Babri Mosque, which archaeologists

00:26 say was built upon the ruins of a Hindu temple. In 1992, mobs destroyed the mosque, demanding

00:33 that the site be returned to its Hindu past. The demolition sparked the worst religious

00:38 riot since the country's independence, killing over 2,000 people.

00:43 "Centuries of temples and worship have been destroyed and a monument was built in its

00:51 place. So again to have back this temple, the gems of Lord Rama's place, I think for

01:05 India it's something amazing."

01:08 The construction of the temple is expected to bolster the legacy of Modi in an important

01:13 election year.

01:15 Modi has been widely accused of supporting Hindu supremacy. 24 kilometers away, the government

01:22 set aside a site for Muslims to build a new mosque to replace the one destroyed in 1992.

01:28 Little progress has been made on it, however. Muslims say it is because their votes are

01:33 not seen as important.

01:34 "The government knew that if they constructed the Ram Mandir, they would get votes. Now

01:41 that's going to happen."

01:46 Modi and the ruling Indian People's Party turned the consecration of the temple into

01:50 a national religious event. Opposition parties, however, boycotted the ceremony, saying it

01:56 was a political stunt.

01:57 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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