Babri Masjid demolition anniversary: Ayodhya on alert, 4 saffron ctivists held

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 06, 2018 : Security has been beefed up across Ayodhya in light of the 26th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have declared to observe the day as ’Shaurya Diwas’ (day of bravery) and ’Vijay Diwas’ (day of victory). The Muslim organisations, on the other hand, has claimed that they will observe Yaum E Gham’ (day of sorrow) and ’Yaum E Syah’ (black day) Times Now reported.

 

According to news agency PTI, over 2500 personnel besides Rapid Action Force (RAF), CRPF and other paramilitary forces have been deployed across the city, including, around the disputed site. "We have heavy security deployment in the twin towns of Faizabad-Ayodhya. The civil police along with CRPF and RAF have been deployed on roads and sensitive localities," Superintendent of Police, Faizabad (city) Anil Singh was quoted as saying by PTI.

On Wednesday, police arrested four activists of one Hindu Samaj Party from the Ram temple site. "Ayodhya was peaceful during the recently held Dharam Sabha and is absolutely peaceful now. Adequate security personnel have been deployed to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Around 20-25 companies of police and Provisional Armed Constabulary (PAC) are permanently stationed at (Ram Janmabhoomi/Babri Mosque) the site and its vicinity," Rishikesh Upadhyay, Mayor of Ayodhya told PTI.

Meanwhile, VHP has planned to organise a number of religious events so that a grand Ram temple is built on the site. Nirmohi Akhara said that the day would be celebrated like Diwali. The Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) has urged people to observe peace and pray for an early resolution of the dispute.

Babri demolition: How it happened

The ‘Babri Masjid case’ finds its roots in the ‘Ayodhya dispute’, a disagreement between Hindus and Muslims since the 16th century over the ownership of a 2.77-acre plot of land.

In 1986, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi persuaded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Bir Bahadur Singh to open the doors to Hindus to offer prayers as they consider the site to be the birthplace of Lord Rama.

In 1990, the then Leader of the Opposition, Lal Krishna Advani, organised a ‘rath yatra’ to Ayodhya with an objective to build a grand Ram Mandir on the disputed site.

Advani’s ‘rath yatra’ garnered frenzied support among Hindus across northern and western India. RSS and VHP mobilized lakhs of Hindus and held demonstrations in support of Ram Mandir across India.

An army of ‘Kar Sevaks’ gathered in Ayodhya and started an agitation while shouting provocative slogans. ‘Kar Sevaks’ – armed and backed by VHP and RSS – were mobilized.

On December 6, 1992, the disputed structure was pulled down by ‘Kar Sevaks’ using hammers and spades. A makeshift Ram Mandir was built on the disputed land under the aegis of the BJP, RSS and VHP leaders.

After the incident, the PV Narasimha Rao-led Congress government at the Centre established a commission of inquiry under justice M S Liberhan to investigate the demolition. In the wake of the demolition, widespread riots broke out in several cities across India.

Over 2,000 people died and thousands more were injured in the riots. Over 2,000 people died and thousands more were injured in the riots.