Urban Indians perceive Ram Temple consecration to boost BJP/NDA votebank

The consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was held on January 22nd, 2024. PM Narendra Modi was present at the temple and about 7,000 devotees including celebrities and prominent figures in society were present, who were there by invitation. 

A lot has been written about the timing of the opening with general elections coming up this year.  What are the views of the common man? Ipsos, a leading global market research conducted a survey among urban Indians to capture their views on how they perceive this grand opening of the temple. Overall, 73% of the respondents polled believe the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will influence votes in favor of the BJP/ NDA in the upcoming General Elections. Similar views were pronounced among students (80%), east (86%), north (80%), tier 1 (79%), tier 3 (77%), west (74%), women (74%), low education (74%), high education (71%), men (71%), SEC A (69%), tier 2 (62%) and slightly lower among south (51%) respondents.      

Ram Temple in Ayodhya = Economic gains for Uttar Pradesh?   

Overall, 77% of those polled hold the view that the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya will boost economic gains for Uttar Pradesh. Across demographics the respondents polled held this view and agreed. East zone (91%), north zone (89%), west zone (80%), 45+ age group (81%), 18-30 years (78%), 31-45 years (73%), SEC B (81%), SEC C (77%), students (81%), males (79%), females (75%) etc. The view was also endorsed by tier 1 (79%), metros (78%),  tier 1 (79%), tier 2 {76%), tier 3 (75%), low profile (79%) and high profile (71%). Only 45% in south felt the temple will lead to economic gains for Uttar Pradesh.  

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader, Public Affairs, Corporate Reputation, CSR and ESG, Ipsos India said, “The Ram Temple in Ayodhya will influence the vote bank in favour of the BJP/ NDA is the dominant view. This view is being supported by more number of respondents across demographics. For south zone we see polarization of views. Likewise the Ram Temple giving a fillip to economic gains for the state of UP was universally endorsed across cohorts. Only south zone was polarized. New fancy trains, airport, and improved infrastructure in Ayodhya will finitely bring devotees to the holy city and increase tourism and economic benefits.”  

Ram Temple opening – religious event or political event  

Overall, we see divided views – 51% perceive it as a religious event; 16% say it is a political event, while 26% believe it is a religious cum political event and 7% were undecided.  South zone was most divided with 24% calling it a religious event, 35% said political event, 24% said both (religious and political), while 17% were undecided. 66% respondents in tier 3 called it a religious event and likewise for north zone (65%) said it is a religious event. 

“Perceived largely as a religious event, though its linkage with politics cannot be ignored,” added Chakraborty.

Methodology:

Ipsos IndiaBus is a monthly pan India omnibus (which also runs multiple client surveys), that uses a structured questionnaire and is conducted by Ipsos India on diverse topics among 2200+ respondents from SEC A, B and C households, covering adults of both genders from all four zones in the country. The survey is conducted in metros, Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, providing a more robust and representative view of urban Indians. The respondents were polled face to face and online. We have city-level quota for each demographic segments that ensure the waves are identical and no additional sampling error. The data is weighted by demographics and city-class population to arrive at national average.