24 years after Babri Masjid demolition, we can't afford to forget
It has been 24 years since the 16th-century Babri Masjid (mosque) was demolished and razed to the ground by a raging mob of Hindu fanatics.
In the 1980s, Hindu outfits like the VHP, RSS and others, backed by the BJP, launched the campaign to build a Ram Temple at the site where the mosque stood. In their understanding, the site was the birthplace of Lord Rama, and the Babri Masjid was constructed by Mughal emperor Babur after destroying temples in its place.
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| BJP veteran LK Advani leading the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath in 1990 | Source: Twitter/Indian History Pics |
Backed by senior BJP leaders like LK Advani, Uma Bharati, Murli Manohar Joshi and others, a mob of around 1,50,000 kar sevaks (Hindu volunteers) gathered at the site and ultimately demolished the 16th-century mosque.
December 6, 1992, is a blot on India's history, further eroding the secular and diverse fabric of the country. After the demolition, communal riots broke out across the country, killing more than 2,000 people.
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| December 6, 1992, is a blot on India's history further eroding the secular and diverse fabric of the country. |
More than the physical act of razing the mosque, the symbolic act - blatant and arrogant state-backed majoritarian attack on minorities and getting away scot-free - further alienated India's already vulnerable minorities.
Many still observe December 6 as Black Day, while for many Hindutva organisations, it is considered as Shaurya Diwas (Day of Pride).
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| Courtesy: Akhil Katyal/ Twitter. |
Considering that this was 24 years ago, one would think the country would have learnt a lesson or two from this tragedy.
However, if Twitter is any indicator of the nation's mood, on the 24th anniversary of the fateful act, it looked as polarised as it was in 1992:
Lest we forget: today, 24 years ago a day of shame for Indian republic. The demolition of Babri masjid that unleashed a cycle of violence.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 6, 2016
Those who call it #ShauryaDiwas are a blot on our national conscience. https://t.co/7x5xbFN3xH
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 6, 2016
Today is mourning day as #BabriMasjid was demolished by zealots in #Ayodhya on this day further demolishing the secular fabric of India.
— Shujaat Bukhari (@bukharishujaat) December 6, 2016
Also remember that those who destroyed Babri Masjid &unleashed a cycle of violence,are in power today &pose a greater threat to our republic https://t.co/XvvnI0SKhf
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) December 6, 2016
To think that we fondly remember Babasaheb Ambedkar on the same day when the constitution of India was brutally murdered #BabriMasjid #6dec
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) December 6, 2016
Dec 6 can only be remembered as d day d Nation's fabric suffered a painful tear with d demolition of d #BabriMasjid. And d riots after
— Harinder Baweja (@shammybaweja) December 6, 2016
— Akhil Katyal (@akhilkatyal) December 6, 2016
December 6, 1992: #BabriMasjid was demolished & the India of my childhood changed forever. No thank you #LKAdvani #AtalBihariVajpayee & gang
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) December 6, 2016
24 years have passed since Demolition of Babri Masjid &the Accused still free 2 Criminal cases are pending CBI ,will they be ever punished ?
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 6, 2016
"Raqs-e-deewangee aangan mein jo dekha hoga#6december ko, Sri Ram ne socha hogaItne deewane kahan say mere ghar mein aaye?"-- Kaifi Azmi
— Karanjeet Kaur (@Kaju_Katri) December 6, 2016
Demolition of Babri Masjid remains the biggest assault on India's secular democratic framework. Must remember, so that it is never repeated.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) December 6, 2016
For many, strangely, December 6 is a day of pride (Shaurya Diwas):
#BabriMasjid demolition was a result of centuries long provocation by jihadists. Tolerance has a limit, after that, it becomes cowardice.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) December 6, 2016
Greetings on #ShauryaDiwas pic.twitter.com/AGee2F0lDF
— Girish Bharadwaja (@Girishvhp) December 6, 2016
Ram Mandir is not just about a temple or a place of worship. It is about the self-respect and existence of Hindus. #ShauryaDiwas
— Amit Srivastava (@AmiSri) December 6, 2016
This Day, 24 Years Ago #BabriMasjid Was Demolished. The Same Babri Masjid That Was Made By Mughals' Terrorists By Demolishing A Ram Mandir. pic.twitter.com/XzqH6ZlCIa
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) December 6, 2016
This Day, 24 Years Ago #BabriMasjid Was Demolished. The Same Babri Masjid That Was Made By Mughals' Terrorists By Demolishing A Ram Mandir. pic.twitter.com/XzqH6ZlCIa
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) December 6, 2016