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Babri Masjid demolition: Can India afford another Ram Mandir movement?

At a time when religious intolerance is growing in the country, minorities are living in fear, right-wing groups are out of control and hate mongers are holding constitutional posts, India cannot afford any campaign that creates rift in the society.

Updated: December 6, 2016 7:32 AM IST

By Aadil Ikram Zaki Iqbal

Babri Masjid demolition: Can India afford another Ram Mandir movement?

Twenty four years ago, on 6 December 1992, violent activists of Hindutva groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal demolished the historical monument called ‘Babri Masjid’. While many Hindus believe Babri Masjid was built by Mir Baqi on the orders of Babar, the first Mughal emperor of India, after destroying a pre-existing Ram temple at the site, Muslims and some non-Muslim historians are of the view that there is no historical record indicating any destruction, or even the existence of a Hindu Temple at the site. The criminal act of demolition of Babri Masjid resulted in several clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities in several parts of the country. At least 2000 people were killed in violence post Babri Masjid demolition.

The campaign against the Babri Masjid and for the construction of Ram Mandir at the disputed site was entirely orchestrated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. Then Congress led government at the Centre also gave a free hand to ‘kar sevaks’, adopting ‘no action’ policy. The demolition of Babri Masjid widen the rift between Hindus and Muslims. After losing hundreds of lives thanks to religious conflict over the disputed land of Babri Masjid, one can expect politicians to learn their lessons to be more responsible. Sadly, it didn’t happen. Politicians seem to have learnt nothing from the Ayodhya imbroglio.

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Despite the fact that the matter of Babri Masjid site is pending before the Supreme Court, right-wing organisations have intensified their demand to rebuilt Ram Mandir at the same land. Soon after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power at the Centre, its leaders openly declared that the Ram Mandir will be built at the site of Babri Masjid regardless of the fact that the case pertaining to the rightful ownership of the disputed land is still not settled. While the voices for the construction of Ram temple are getting hoarser, leaders of the ruling BJP are also fueling the fire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself raised the slogan of “Jai Sri Ram” on the occasion of Dussehra in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, indicating that the communal issue of the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will be the chief plank of the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

On one hand, PM Narendra Modi talks about ‘sab ka sath sab ka vikas’, stressing on development of the country. On the other hand several BJP leaders are openly raising the fiery issue of rebuilding Ram Mandir in Ayodhya for the sake of votes. In May, BJP president Amit Shah had asserted that Ram Janambhoomi was an integral part of the BJP’s manifesto. Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and firebrand Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia have already asked the BJP to start building the temple at the site where the historic Babri Masjid was demolished by a Hindu mob on December 6, 1992.

At a time when the BJP is attempting to capture power in Uttar Pradesh – one of the most politically important states — where it has been out of power for 14 years, the issue of Ram Mandir at the site of Babri Masjid will take centrestage. Can India afford another movement for Ram Mandir?

The fear of the possibility of an unfortunate incident exists even after 24 years of the demolition of Babri Masjid, which is a blot on a democratic and secular nation that claims to be one of the most religiously diverse countries of the world. At a time when religious intolerance is growing in the country, minorities are living in fear, right-wing groups are out of control and hate mongers are holding constitutional posts, India cannot afford any campaign that creates rift in the society.

If Prime Minister Narendra Modi really wants to make this country a superpower, he must realise that we cannot afford more cases of rioting and destruction as in 1992, 1993 and 2002. People in power should be focusing on issues related to development rather than playing divisive politics. Our country desperately needs social and economic development and an environment where all religious communities can peacefully co-exist. Let the Supreme Court decided the fate of the Babri Masjid.

The demolition of Babri Masjid wasn’t just destruction of a historical monument but it infused the poison of hatred among people. 24 years on, so little has changed. Unfortunately, our leaders are making sure that no positive change takes place.

(Views expressed by the writer are personal)

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