Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened part of a hotly disputed Hindu holy building in the northern city of Ayodhya. The temple stands at the former site of a 16th-century Islamic holy building that Hindu mobs tore down 30 years ago. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindu nationalist groups say the opening of the Lord Ram temple is central to their goal of reclaiming Hindu pride after centuries of suppression. Modi and his supporters hope the move will help the prime minister win a record third straight term in elections expected this spring. But critics accuse Modi of opening the temple too early, as much of the structure remains unbuilt. Opponents say the partial opening was a political act to gain voter support. And experts say the government-led opening ceremony marks a critical moment in India's history. They argue it demonstrated the weakening line between religion and state under Modi’s leadership. India's founders considered the separation of religion and government to be a critical policy for national unity.
