National

Ayodhya: Poetic Justice And Politics In The Land Of Ram

The BJP losing the Faizabad constituency, which houses the Ram mandir, shocked many across the country. But the story of Ayodhya isn't just the story of the temple alone. It's also the story of many homes and shops destroyed on the revamped Ram Janmabhoomi Path, leaving the locals ravaged, forcing many to leave the town. It's also the story of the numerous barricades overwhelming Ayodhya, putting it under a state of "permanent curfew". It's also the story of many villagers who are worried that the government will "snatch their lands"—at meagre prices—to build a new ring road. And finally, it's also the story of the Muhammad Bin Abdullah mosque, the Babri Masjid's replacement, whose construction hasn't even begun. Amid so many troubles, with almost no one hearing their complaints, the people of the Faizabad constituency had just one chance, their only chance: making their votes talk.

demolished house in Ayodhya Photo_1
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook

A BJP flag flutters amid demolished house in Ayodhya.

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Cutout of Lord Ram and Modi
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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Cutout of Lord Ram and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front of Temple in Ayodhya.

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Mohammed Bin Abdullah Masjid
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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Mohammed Bin Abdullah Masjid at Dhannipur in Ayodhya.

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barricades in Ayodhya
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A series of barricades, Ayodhya's new ubiquitous symbols.

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souvenir shop in Ayodhya
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A shopkeeper in Hanuman Gadhi, Ayodhya.

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Ram ki Paidi at Ayodhya
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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Devotees at the Ram ki Paidi at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

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Sanethu Laxmanpur village, Ayodhya
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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Gaya Prasad Rawat with his family in her house in the Sanethu Laxmanpur village, Ayodhya.

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evening prayers in Sarayu
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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Priests perform evening prayers on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya.

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demolished house in ayodhya photo_2
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A demolished house in Ayodhya.

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demolished house in ayodhya Photo_1
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A demolished house in Ayodhya.

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demolished house in ayodhya Photo_3
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A demolished house in Ayodhya.

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Sweet shop in Ayodhya
Photo: Suresh K Pandey/Outlook
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A shopkeeper in Hanuman Gadhi, Ayodhya.