'#IndiaWantsRamMandir must be a promo for Hate Story 3': Twitter reacts to renewed temple demand

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.

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, 2015

A 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, 2015

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.

If Bhakts are trending #IndiaWantsRamMandir, that clearly means they have accepted @narendramodi's failure on development.

— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) November 29, 2015

 

India doesn't want freedom of speech, or better hospitals, or better public transport or leaders who are accountable. #IndiaWantsRamMandir — lindsay pereira (@lindsaypereira) November 30, 2015

 

Instead of #IndiaWantsRamMandir , plz build a super speciality hospital for the needy. That is what India wants. (@PahaadiTweeter) November 30, 2015

Some 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