Why UP leaves it to Lord Ram every election

Whether the hallowed palace of Ayodhya reverberated with the cries of an infant, the supreme godhead himself, on January 10, 5114 BC, will always be debated. What is certain, however, is that the lord will definitely occupy centre stage when Uttar Pradesh goes to the polls - as well as in its run-up. Scholars say that Lord Ram resides in the conscience of every Indian.

Does he?

Debatable, perhaps.

But that he is sitting pretty in the political scheme of things since the early '90s is a fact that neither media nor politicians will ever let us forget. No state election, let alone a general election goes by without his mention - probably not in the way he would have liked.

The secular forces play the lord's card and the not so secular ones, bystanders in Indian polity catch the right kind of winds in the opportune circumstances. Religion and matters of faith mobilise citizens of this country in hitherto unknown numbers. The winds catch on, a wildfire rages, lives are lost and faith in humanity shattered, but who cares?

Emotions, not issues rule the democratic process and the electoral outcome.

Mahesh Sharma said that doing his (Ram's) work is a sign of great fortune. It is indeed. To tread the way and principles of "Maryada Purushottam" would be a saving grace for most. Whether that sense of duty should have led to the setting up of a Ramayana museum is an altogether different debate.

There is a huge secular versus communal contest - well at least discourse - in the elections since 2014. Without getting into the debate of who's who, or which force is better than the other in deeds and words, let us take a look at the scenario. The Uttar Pradesh government allocates 25 acres of land for the museum.

The Centre will probably pitch in with funds. The site is some 15-odd kilometres away from the disputed spot - Ram Janmabhoomi - where, as per present status, Ram Lala is "virajaman". It is like the lion and the deer story - whoever you are, as soon as you get a chance, you should be up and running, that is, show steadfast dedication to the lord and his ways. The vote percentage of the upper castes ensures that no political party in UP is ever in a position to ignore them.

The state government, facing a heavy spell of anti-incumbency and a resurgent BSP can hardly sit and watch the party at the Centre walk away with all the credit associated with anything to do with Lord Ram. So out pops the proposal of a Ramleela theme park - mind you, all this in the name of the developing Ayodhya. The 2014 general elections were contested on the developmental plank, perhaps necessitated by earlier reversals.

But, in Uttar Pradesh, Lord Ram becomes a poll issue every five years, brought up directly or as an allusion by parties of all political hues, beliefs and opinions. Hey Ram.