A Hindu temple has been built on land in northern India that has been disputed by Hindus and Muslims as sacred sites.
Prime Minister Modi, who is about to hold a general election this year, is trying to appeal to Hindus, who make up the majority of the country, by promoting the construction of temples, but there has been strong criticism from opposition parties who say it is a political use.
In Ayodhya in northern India, the inauguration ceremony of a Hindu temple was held on the 22nd, to which 8,000 people, including movie actors and athletes, were invited, and Prime Minister Modi gave a speech saying, ``Today marks the beginning of a new era.''
The Mughal Empire built an Islamic mosque in Ayodhya in the 16th century, but Hindus have also claimed ownership of the land, claiming that it is the sacred place where the god Rama was born.
In 1992, a mob of Hindus destroyed the mosque, intensifying religious tensions and causing nationwide riots that left nearly 2,000 people dead.
Five years ago, a judgment was issued allowing Hindus to own the land, and construction of a Hindu temple on the site of the mosque has been underway.
In India, a general election is scheduled to be held by May this year, and Prime Minister Modi has shown a strong stance to appeal to Hindus, who make up the majority of the population, of his achievements in building temples.
On the other hand, opposition parties have strongly criticized the government for using religious ceremonies politically.