How do you know they are “cynically using religion to win votes”? I would think leaders of a religiously based party are probably sincere in their beliefs.
Technically speaking,the statements were made by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),an organisation under the Indian government.The Indian government can be pretty stupid at times-but don’t think they’d do anything as suicidal as this-intentionally.
The BJP are sincere towards religions whenever the air of elections is in the air!!