The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the recent construction and inauguration of the “Ram Temple” at the site of the previously demolished Babri Mosque in the Indian city of Ayodhya.

In line with the OIC position expressed by the Council of Foreign Ministers in its previous sessions, the General Secretariat denounces these actions aimed at obliterating the Islamic landmarks.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated controversial temple that was built on the site of a historical mosque razed down by extremist Hindus on Monday.

Speaking outside the temple he said, “January 22, 2024, is not merely a date in the calendar but heralds the advent of a new era.”

Modi has been accused of orchestrating the event for political gain ahead of the upcoming elections in the spring.

The opening ceremony was seen as an unofficial start to his re-election campaign this year, where he will seek a third term in power. The general election is expected to be held between April and May.

The inauguration of the temple, which came amid rising anti-Muslim hate crimes in India, has evoked blood-soaked memories of the violence that was sparked after the mosque that stood for centuries in Ayodhya was torn down in 1992 by Hindu far-right mobs incited by members of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Some 2,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed in the violence.