Highlights

Is UP Politics Bhagwaan Bharose? Will the road to Lucknow pass through Ayodhya? We dive into it this EJ In-depth!

Latest news

5 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir

5 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir

SEBI Expands UPSI Definition, Strengthens ESG and Governance Frameworks

SEBI Expands UPSI Definition, Strengthens ESG and Governance Frameworks

Gold Imports surge in November: Commerce Ministry examining data for any calculation error

Gold Imports surge in November: Commerce Ministry examining data for any calculation error

No provision of free travel for Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela: Railways

No provision of free travel for Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela: Railways

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

\'Mereko marwaoge\': Rohit Sharma's hilarious response to Pujara, Rahane 'retirement mistake' goes viral

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Trains movement hit in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks as part of Rail Roko protest

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Karan Aujla delivers electrifying performance in Delhi-NCR

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

UP Election 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Appeasing Gods for Votes- the Ayodhya Route

Is UP Politics Bhagwaan Bharose? Will the road to Lucknow pass through Ayodhya? We dive into it this EJ In-depth!  

UP Election 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Appeasing Gods for Votes- the Ayodhya Route

Appeasing Gods to win wars is a practice as old as time

Ancient Egyptians, Romans, Aztecs, Celts- societies, spread across the continents, over centuries have knocked on God’s door to ask for help, to get work done

And if the folktales, the stories and the rumours are to be believed, now and then Gods have answered the door for their favourites

This practice of divine appeasement, for some time now, has been the norm in Uttar Pradesh’s politics

For example, it is without contention, that a place like Ayodhya, the seat of spirituality on the banks of the Saryu river is talked about more for its political importance than theological reasons

Since the 1980s, Ayodhya has remained a pivot in UP politics and polls. For the BJP, since its resolution in 1989 to construct a Ram Mandir at the site of Babri Masjid, Ayodhya remained the focal point of its poll campaigns in the years after the Babri Masjid demolition. It slipped into a footnote in the late 2000s as the law of diminishing returns kicked in


But with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Ram Mandir in November 2019, Ayodhya has again occupied the pride of place in not just BJP's, but every political party's political scheme of things in the run-up to the UP elections


Almost all parties have used the holy city as a launch pad of sorts for their campaign for the upcoming state polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself performed the ‘bhoomi pujan’ on August 5, 2020 for the Ram temple


Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath frequently visits the holy town and has taken the Dussehra and Diwali celebrations to a whole new level in his tenure. From inviting foreign dignitaries to Guinness world record by lighting over 6 lakh lamps on the banks of Saryu, Yogi has done his fair share of appeasing the Gods

Not to be left behind in the race, opposition parties, too, are doing their political parikrama


Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party, hoping to repeat its 2007 success by harnessing its ‘Dalits-Brahmins’ formula, began its ‘Brahmin Sammelan’ from Ayodhya in July. Party's Brahmin face Satish Chandra Misra started the party’s campaign by offering prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi


The Samajwadi Party too used Ayodhya to launch its campaign with state unit chief Naresh Uttam participating in ‘khet bachaao, rozgaar bachaao‘ event on September 3. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also said he would visit the temple with his family after its opens for public.


The Congress, that never associated itself with the cause of the Ram Mandir, changed its stance after the Supreme Court’s verdict. Ahead of the bhoomi pujan by the PM, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, called the laying of foundation a "celebration of national unity".


Even the new entrants in the UP battleground are taking the Ayodhya route to launch their political fortunes


AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi began his party’s campaign with a public meeting at Rasulabad in Ayodhya on September 7. The venue was strategically chosen as it is near Dhannipur where a mosque is coming up as per the apex court judgement


AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh offered special prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya as they launched the party's campaign for the 2022 polls

It isn’t just Ayodhya though. Political pilgrims have also touched PM’s parliamentary constituency and another holy site Varanasi

All this worshipping has made the opposition a target for accusations of ‘soft hindutva’


But practising religion is not communalism. Targeting minorities by using religion as a crutch, excluding them from an inclusive national narrative, that fits more into the definition of communalism

Moreover, as long as constitutional morality prevails, asking the Gods for electoral favours does not diminish democratic stoutness

Whether this practice of divine appeasement stems from the abundance of religion in the state, or the abundance is maintained through the practice, is a topic for philosophical debate

But what isn’t a debate, is the obvious political strategy behind the religious stunts

The temple-runs and holy-site hopping is not for the Gods but for the voters

When the political parties ask the voters to vote in the name of their Gods, the voters comply

But if the manifesto promises go kaput, the governance dilapidates or the policies fail - who is to be held accountable?

The parties, the voters or the Gods?

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

UP Election 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Appeasing Gods for Votes- the Ayodhya Route

UP Election 2022: Chunaav Pe Charcha | EJ In-depth: Appeasing Gods for Votes- the Ayodhya Route

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

Was this Shashi Tharoor's last election? Congress leader reveals

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

What lies ahead for AIADMK after Lok Sabha debacle?

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Meet GenZ candidates set to become India’s youngest MPs

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Odisha's chief ministerial race: five BJP stalwarts in contention

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

Modi's swearing-in ceremony, India to invite top leaders of neighbouring countries: report

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

Naidu and Kumar seek key cabinet posts in Modi's next term: report

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

What next for jailed Amritpal Singh, Engineer Rashid who have now become lawmakers?

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Narendra Modi elected NDA leader, to be next PM

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

Mallikarjun Kharge invites parties with 'shared values' to join INDIA bloc

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

INDIA bloc leaders hold meet at Mallikarjun Kharge residence

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

President Murmu dissolves 17th Lok Sabha

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

Will top BJP allies stay in NDA or leave? Modi 3.0 hangs in the balance

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

NDA meet at PM Modi residence, discussion on forming govt

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

KL Sharma wins Amethi, how Congress planned Rahul revenge

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Union Cabinet recommends dissolution of 17th Lok Sabha

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Narendra Modi expected to take oath as PM on June 8: report

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

Lok Sabha election results: Tejashwi Yadav pulled crowds in Bihar, but failed to turn them into votes

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

JDU will give letter of support to NDA, PM Modi: KC Tyagi

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

INDIA bloc and NDA leaders in huddle after June 4 Lok Sabha result

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Chandrababu Naidu breaks suspense over defection to INDIA bloc

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu emerge as kingmakers as BJP short of majority

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

BJP falls short of majority, Nitish Kumar to attend NDA meet in Delhi

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Cycle rolls over BJP's Purvanchal fortress, comparison with 2019 result

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

Jailed Kashmiri leader beats Omar Abdullah, Sajad Lone to win Baramulla seat

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

PM Modi thanks Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar in victory speech | Lok Sabha election results

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

For first time in 10 years, Congress opens account in Gujarat

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

How Rahul Gandhi set the Lok Sabha campaign narrative, and BJP followed

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

Setback for BJP as Faizabad picks Samajwadi candidate Awadhesh Prasad

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

BJP's Tamil Nadu star Annamalai's bleak ballot debut

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh result establishes Akhilesh at centre stage, end of road for Mayawati

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

When Modi loses, Adani stocks fall: Rahul Gandhi as BJP falls short of majority

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Smriti Irani concedes defeat, thanks PM Modi, Yogi for letting her serve Amethi

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

Nation rejected politics of Modi, Shah: Rahul Gandhi in press conference

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

London postgrad Iqra Hasan beats BJP in once communally charged Kairana

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

Shyam Rangeela mimics PM Modi, 'calls' Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu in hilarious video

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

'Real' Shiv Sena, NCP outperformed by Sharad, Uddhav in Maharashtra

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

BJP's Rajeev Chandrashekhar concedes defeat to Shashi Tharoor | Thiruvananthapuram LS seat

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

NOTA gets record 2.18 lakh votes in Indore where Congress candidate withdrew

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Sharad Pawar denies talks with Nitish Kumar | Lok Sabha election results

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Odisha assembly elections: BJP likely to dethrone Naveen Patnaik

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc leading in 44 seats, BJP-led NDA in 35

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Congress' Amethi pick KL Sharma reacts to potential win over BJP's Smriti Irani

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee stays strong in her turf, outperforms BJP in West Bengal

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP short of majority as per latest trends, NDA likely to cross 272

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

BJP going to form govt for third time, says Kangana Ranaut

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Lok Sabha election results: Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh leads in Punjab

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

Smriti Irani stares at defeat as KL Sharma takes massive lead in Amethi

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

BJP workers imitate shaving man's head to mock Somnath Bharti

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

'Not happy about Hassan result': JDS leader Kumaraswamy

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

Lok Sabha results LIVE: BJP set to lose heavily in Uttar Pradesh as SP-Congress leads in 42 seats 

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

BJP on verge of creating history in Kerala, Suresh Gopi poised to win from Thrissur

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Lok Sabha election 2024 results: counting of votes across 543 constituencies underway

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Celebrations begin at TMC office in Kolkata | Watch

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Sanjay Raut bats for Rahul Gandhi as PM, says Congress may cross 150

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

Andhra Pradesh assembly polls result: Naidu's TDP well on its way to dethrone YSRCP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

'This is just trailer': Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes sly dig at BJP

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut offer prayers on election result day

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

Counting of votes for Andhra, Odisha assembly elections begins

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

These are early trends, won't celebrate prematurely: Supriya Shrinate

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

We will comfortably form government: Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Hoping exit poll proves right for J&K: NC leader Omar Abdullah

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Will work for all, whether they voted for me or not: Shashi Tharoor

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Exit polls 2024: Congress likely to maintain lead in Punjab, no gain for AAP

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Today is last day of dictatorship: AAP leader Gopal Rai

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

Ram Rajya will continue: BJP Gorakhpur candidate Ravi Kishan

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Teesri baar Modi sarkaar': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj confident of win

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

'Modi Ka Pariwar' in hearts of all Indians: K Madhavi Latha

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

5 injured in crude bomb blast in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

EC 'outrightly' rejects Jairam Ramesh's request for extra time to back claims

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

'Cannot spread a rumour..': CEC responds to Congress' Jairam Ramesh's allegations

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reacts to 'Laapata gentlemen' memes | Watch

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

BJP plans mega event to mark 2024 Lok Sabha election victory: report

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

'Just wait and see': Sonia Gandhi on INDIA bloc's chances of winning 2024 Lok Sabha election

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

In rare move, EC to hold presser day before counting of votes

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Kejriwal lists 'theories' behind exit poll: 'bid to prevent mutiny in BJP'

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Count postal ballots before declaring EVM results: INDIA bloc to EC

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Sandeshkhali sees post-poll violence, Guv writes to Mamata

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

Arvind Kejriwal returns to Tihar Jail as interim bail ends

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

SKM sweeps assembly elections in Sikkim, wins 31 of 32 seats

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

BJP wins Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections for third straight time

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

Watch: Rahul Gandhi slams exit polls, predicts these many seats for INDIA bloc

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

'Will shave off my head if...': AAP's Somnath Bharti's claim on exit polls predicting NDA win

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls: counting for votes begin amid heavy security

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Lok Sabha elections 2024 exit polls: poll of polls predict big victory for Modi-led NDA

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

Pawan Khera calls exit poll 'source of entertainment', slams PM Modi for his tweet

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Delusional politics': Hardeep Singh Puri slams Congress' 295 seats claim

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

'Sarkari exit poll': Supriya Shrinate slams exit poll surveys predicting Modi sweep

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

INDIA bloc will win at least 295 seats, Kharge asserts after opposition meet

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

PM Modi ends his 45-hour long meditation, visits Tamil poet's statue

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

INDIA bloc meet underway to discuss strategy for counting day | Lok Sabha elections

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

BJP leader sends ambulance for Kejriwal, says CM creating drama over health

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Lok Sabha polls final phase: voter turnout at 40.09% till 1 pm

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Pawan Khera responds to Amit Shah's 'denial mode' dig at party for skipping exit poll debates

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Sporadic incidents of violence mar final phase of voting in Bengal

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Watch: election underway at world's highest polling station- Tashigang

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Seventh phase of voting: EVMs, VVPAT looted in West Bengal, thrown into pond

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.