A Hindu temple has opened in northern India to much fanfare. But its construction at the site of a mosque demolished by a Hindu nationalist mob 32 years ago has stirred controversy in the country.
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00:00 Thousands flock to Hyolja in northern India for the long-awaited
00:04 consecration of a grand temple to the Hindu god Lord Ram.
00:10 It's a celebration for the country's Hindus who are 80% of the population.
00:16 They believe the site is where Lord Ram was born. Over 100,000 people are
00:23 expected to visit per day for the next two months.
00:30 But the lead-up to this opening has been contentious, at the core of a centuries-long
00:44 religious rift. The temple was built on the site of a demolished 16th century mosque,
00:50 torn down by Hindu mobs in 1992. It sparked violent nationwide riots between followers
00:56 of the two religions, and 2,000 people were killed, mostly minority Muslims.
01:02 This temple opening evoking painful memories for that community.
01:07 "I was always thinking about December 6th.
01:10 The way everyone came here and started riots.
01:14 Our house was also burnt down. This is my house in Bagli.
01:18 What did we do wrong?"
01:21 The '92 demolition was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, but the site was still
01:28 granted to Hindus, who claim it's been holy to them for centuries before the mosque was built.
01:34 This temple now opening marks a culmination of a four-decade campaign by far-right Hindu groups,
01:40 and a key part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2019 election promises.
01:46 He inaugurated the temple with a national election due to be called in weeks.
01:52 "A nation that has risen from the slavery of its mentality,
01:58 a nation that has taken courage from the crumbs of the past,
02:05 is creating a new history in the same way."
02:12 Modi is seeking a rare third term in office, and this event is seen as the beginning of his
02:18 election campaign. His presence highlighting the religious division in the nation, and what many
02:25 say are his party's plans to turn secular India into a Hindu-first nation.
02:31 James Lynn and Rosie Greninja for Taiwan Plus.