Almost two weeks after the death of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal, Hindutva supporters online began to flood Twitter with the hashtag #IndiaWantsRamMandir. The social media campaign was triggered after VHP and Bharatiya Janata Party activists announced, at a gathering in Ayodhya on November 27, that they would build a Ram temple around Singhal's ashes at the disputed site of the demolished Babri Masjid.
While immersing the ashes before a gathering of around 4,000 supporters, VHP leaders reportedly took an oath to realise Singhal's dream of building a Ram temple on the very spot in Ayodhya on which they claim the god was born.
The Twitter campaign in response to this oath came in the form of high-pitched, emotional appeals from right-wing tweeters.
The "secularists" targeted in the #IndiaWantsRamMandir tweets did not, of course, remain silent, reminding the "bhakts" of the development promises on which the Bharatiya Janata Party had come to power.
Some saw the rekindling of the Ram Mandir issue as a predictable pre-poll strategy:
Others responded with sarcasm and humour:
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While immersing the ashes before a gathering of around 4,000 supporters, VHP leaders reportedly took an oath to realise Singhal's dream of building a Ram temple on the very spot in Ayodhya on which they claim the god was born.
The Twitter campaign in response to this oath came in the form of high-pitched, emotional appeals from right-wing tweeters.
We should tweet #IndiaWantsRamMandir to all secularists.. so that thay can know wht nation wants..!!
— Suchendra Mishra (@i_m_suchendra) November 30, 2015
How long can I see my Ram Lala like this? My heart cries, blood boils & feel bad. #IndiaWantsRamMandir pic.twitter.com/EX2B0eqhJF
— Madhav (@mahesh10816) November 29, 2015A country with 80% Hindus are still 'asking' for a temple at their lord's birthplace. And we aren't tolerant? #IndiaWantsRamMandir
— RameshwariIyer (@RIyer15) November 30, 2015#IndiaWantsRamMandir Best Tribute to Shri Ashok Singhalji is to build the Ram Temple
— Anshuman Singh (@srcmboys) November 30, 2015#IndiaWantsRamMandir It is about upholding our dignity.. Jai Sri Ram pic.twitter.com/csSANF1yLO
— Srivatsan V (@IamSrivatsanV) November 29, 2015The "secularists" targeted in the #IndiaWantsRamMandir tweets did not, of course, remain silent, reminding the "bhakts" of the development promises on which the Bharatiya Janata Party had come to power.
If Bhakts are trending #IndiaWantsRamMandir, that clearly means they have accepted @narendramodi's failure on development.
— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) November 29, 2015India doesn't want freedom of speech, or better hospitals, or better public transport or leaders who are accountable. #IndiaWantsRamMandir — lindsay pereira (@lindsaypereira) November 30, 2015Instead of #IndiaWantsRamMandir , plz build a super speciality hospital for the needy. That is what India wants. (@PahaadiTweeter) November 30, 2015Some saw the rekindling of the Ram Mandir issue as a predictable pre-poll strategy:
#IndiaWantsRamMandir Hmmm.. So after Ghar Wapsi, Love Jihad, Cow Politics - this is going to be BJP strategy for Assam/WB/Kerala election! — Vipin Sirigiri (@VipinSirigiri) November 30, 2015 Others responded with sarcasm and humour:
#IndiaWantsRamMandir trending! Must be promotion of Hate Story 3.
— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) November 29, 2015
#WelcomeBackMaggi beats #IndiaWantsRamMandir on my trending list! A country with such straight priorities can never be called #Intolerant!
— Ranjabali Chaudhuri (@RanjabaliC) November 30, 2015
#IndiaWantsRamMandir so that we can organize more organized stampedes
— A Boy Named Vishal (@shivillex) November 30, 2015