Explain Babri Masjid demolition in 500 words
The demolition of Babri Masjid, also known as the Babri Masjid demolition, was a significant event in Indian history that took place on December 6, It was a highly controversial incident that led to communal violence and strained inter-religious relations in the country. The demolition of the mosque was a culmination of a long-standing dispute between Hindus and Muslims over the ownership of the site.
The Babri Masjid was a mosque built in the 16th century in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to historical records, it was constructed by Mir Baqi, a general in the Mughal emperor Babur's army. The mosque stood on a site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, a revered figure in Hinduism. Hindus claimed that the mosque was built after demolishing a Hindu temple that originally stood on the site.
The dispute over the Babri Masjid dates back to the 19th century when Hindu organizations started demanding the construction of a Ram temple at the site. In 1949, idols of Lord Ram were mysteriously placed inside the mosque, leading to a legal battle between Hindus and Muslims. The government eventually locked the mosque, and both communities were allowed to offer prayers in different parts of the premises.
Tensions escalated in the 1980s when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu nationalist organization, started a campaign to build a Ram temple at the site. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a right-wing political party with close ties to the VHP, supported the demand. The issue became highly politicized, and it became a rallying point for Hindu nationalists.
On December 6, 1992, a large crowd of Hindu activists gathered near the mosque as part of a planned rally organized by the VHP. Despite assurances from the government and court orders prohibiting any construction activity, the crowd turned violent. They breached the security cordon, climbed the domes of the mosque, and started demolishing it using hammers, axes, and other tools.
The destruction of the Babri Masjid led to widespread violence and communal riots across India. Thousands of people, mostly Muslims, lost their lives in the ensuing clashes. The incident also strained relations between Hindus and Muslims, leading to a deepening of religious divisions in the country.
The demolition of the Babri Masjid had far-reaching political consequences as well. The BJP, which had been a marginal political force until then, gained significant support from Hindu voters. The incident also exposed the fragility of India's secular fabric and raised questions about the government's ability to maintain law and order.
The legal battle over the ownership of the site continued for years after the demolition. In 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered a verdict, granting the disputed land to Hindus for the construction of a Ram temple. The court also ordered the government to provide an alternate piece of land to the Muslim community to build a mosque.
The Babri Masjid demolition remains a deeply divisive issue in India, with both Hindus and Muslims having strong opinions on the matter. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the country in maintaining communal harmony and upholding the principles of secularism. Efforts are being made to heal the wounds caused by the incident and promote inter-religious understanding in the country.