New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- Days before India's Republic Day on 26 January, the theatrical consecration of the idol of a Hindu deity demonstrating the 'reclaiming' of the land at the ancient city of Ayodhya to build the Ram Mandir has further tarnished the country's image as the world's largest and oldest democracy.

The 'pran pratishtha' or consecration of an idol of Lord Ram was carried out with fanfare on 22 January 2024 at the inauguration of the Ram Mandir which is being portrayed as India's 'National Temple' in Ayodhya. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, standing for a third term in office, together with officials of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, the Rastriya Swayamsewak Sang (RSS) and other Hindu leaders in India led the...