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25 years after Barbri Masjid demolition: politics changes while legal issues stay stuck

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8 years ago

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25 years after Barbri Masjid demolition: politics changes while legal issues stay stuck

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Twenty five years after a mob, safe in the knowledge of a favourable government in Uttar Pradesh, demolished the 16th century Babri Masjid, Dec 6 was celebrated as ‘shaurya divas’ by RSS-BJP and other Hindutva followers in the country.

Muslim organisation observed it as ‘Black Day’, but the voices were drowned out. ‘#ShauryaDivas’ was among the top trends on Twitter on Wednesday, the posts dominated by tweets hailing the demolition by ‘brave kar sevaks’ and a few lamenting the divide it plunged the country into. Hindutva followers mostly stayed away from another trending topic ‘#BabriMasjid’: they loathe the name and prefer ‘disputed structure’.

Only a day before, when the Supreme Court was hearing the case to decide who the land – where the demolished structure stood – belonged to, they had pre-judged the case, affirming their resolve to build a Ram temple on the spot, asserting ‘with Narendra Modi government at the Centre and Yogi Adityanath, when else would the temple be built’?

Accordingly, RSS’ extreme Hindutva wing, VHP, gave a call for starting Ram temple construction ‘from Oct 18, 2018’, at a time when the heat would be on for state Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and the Lok Sabha elections just six months away.

Politics in the name of religion is there for all to see. It is another matter that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning for Gujarat Assembly elections on Wednesday, referred to Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s arguments in the court and asked, in all innocence: “No objection that Kapil Sibal is fighting on behalf of Muslim community but how can he say do not find a solution to this (Ayodhya issue) until next election? How is it connected to Lok Sabha elections?”

Meanwhile, The Hindustan Times (HT) has reported that preparations for Ram temple construction have picked up pace at its workshop, ‘Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas Karyashaala’, in Ayodhya after Yogi Aditynatah took over as chief minister in Uttar Pradesh. The workshop is located 3 km from the disputed site.

“Sixty-seven per cent of work is over. All this, when assembled, would make the ground floor of the Shri Ramjanmabhoomi Temple,” said Sharad Sharma, a spokesperson of the VHP that runs the workshop, reported HT.

The architect is Ahmedabad-based Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, whose grandfather built the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. “It will take at least one-and-a-half year for the stone carving work to finish. At least six months will go into laying the foundation for the temple,” he told HT over the phone. Sompura also said the original project cost was Rs 5.35 crore, but had ballooned four times.

While all this takes place in the background, the 25th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition saw massive security arrangements in place in the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya as the VHP and the Bajrang Dal celebrate ‘Shaurya Diwas’ and Muslim organisations observe a black day. The saffron outfits have given a call to people of Ayodhya-Faizabad to light up their homes with lamps.

Ayodhya has been divided into four zones and ten sectors and prohibitory orders under section 144 have been clamped, said media reports. Any form of protests, demonstrations have been completely banned. All areas of Ayodhya have police presence, with bomb disposal squads on alert. Security was tight and people were frisked at multiple check points across the temple town.

The Centre has asked all the states to remain cautious and ensure peace, so that no incident of communal tension is reported from anywhere in the country.

To recall, on 6 December, 1992, a movement led by RSS and affiliated outfits VHP, BJP and Bajrang built up to a rally in Ayodhya involving over 1.5 lakh volunteers, known as kar sevaks. Provocative speeches added to a charged atmosphere. The gathering turned into a violent mob that pulled down the Babri Masjid.

This was followed by communal riots all over, beginning with Ayodhya-Faizabad itself, where, according to media reports, 28 Muslims were murdered, almost all their houses and shops were torched and destroyed, including 23 local mosques. No FIR was reported to have been lodged, no cases were registered of this riot.

Present at the rally in Ayodhya that day were senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi. In 2009, a report by Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan found 68 people responsible for the demolition of the mosque, which included names of Atal Vajpayee, Advani, Joshi and Vijay Raje Scindia. The case is pending disposal in a special court.

Hundreds lost their lives in the riots in the rest of the country after the demolition. This was followed by Mumbai bomb blasts, allegedly as a revenge for demolition of the mosque, sparking off the Mumbai riots of 1993.

The issue was kept simmering and boiled up again, this time in Gujarat, in 2002, when 59 kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya were burnt to death when their coach was set on fire in Godhra. This, too, led to one of the worst riots in the country, under the watch of then Gujarat chief minister and current PM, Narendra Modi. That signalled Modi’s arrival on the national political scene.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Delhi to install 305 mist sprayers across 9 major pollution hotspots

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that 305 mist sprayers will be installed across nine pollution hotspots in Delhi, alongside expert-led planning and coordinated measures to reduce dust and biomass-related pollution.

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7 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Delhi-NCR air quality

The Delhi government has announced a large-scale deployment of mist sprayer technology to tackle rising air pollution, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirming that 305 mist sprayers will be installed across nine pollution hotspots in the capital.

Mist sprayers to curb dust at critical locations

During an inspection at ITO, Gupta said the mist sprayers already operational at the site are performing effectively. She noted that 35 poles at ITO have been fitted with these machines, which are helping suppress dust—a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi.

According to the Chief Minister, trials conducted in certain NDMC areas have shown promising results, reinforcing confidence in the technology.

High-level committee to guide pollution-control measures

Gupta announced the formation of a high-level expert committee that will advise the government on effective measures to reduce pollution. The panel will include senior officials from various departments as well as environmental specialists, including experts from IITs. Officials stated that the committee will receive special powers to implement pollution-mitigation strategies.

Departments directed to repair roads, add greenery

The Chief Minister said departments including PWD, DSIIDC and DDA have been instructed to fix potholes, repair and carpet roads, plant foliage along dividers and islands, and take other measures to reduce pollution sources.

She urged residents to report potholes on the government portal for quicker action.

Appeal to RWAs to prevent biomass burning

To curb winter pollution, Gupta advised Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to distribute electric heaters to security guards to discourage biomass burning, which significantly contributes to seasonal pollution spikes.

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PM Modi welcomes Vladimir Putin with warm hug as Russian President begins India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin began a high-profile visit to India on Thursday, welcomed by PM Narendra Modi as both nations prepare to discuss defence, energy and trade cooperation.

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7 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Vladimir Putin rides in Indian PM Narendra Modi's car on India visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a 27-hour visit focused on strengthening defence, energy and trade cooperation. The visit, marked by a warm embrace and a brief car ride shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores the continuity of the India-Russia strategic partnership amid shifting global geopolitics.

Putin receives ceremonial welcome and packed schedule ahead

Putin landed in Delhi around 6:35 pm, where PM Modi personally received him at Palam airport. The two leaders shared a hug before leaving together, with the Prime Minister set to host a private dinner in honour of the visiting President — a reciprocal gesture to the hospitality extended during Modi’s Moscow visit last year.

On Friday, Putin will begin his official engagements with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a visit to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. He is also scheduled to attend the India-Russia Annual Summit at Hyderabad House, where both sides will hold a working lunch.

The Russian President will later inaugurate a new India-based channel of Russia’s state broadcaster and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, before departing India on Friday night.

Defence, energy and trade to dominate agenda

Officials have indicated that discussions will centre on defence, energy and trade — the three pillars of the bilateral relationship. Agreements are expected across sectors including shipping, healthcare, fertilisers and connectivity.

Ahead of the summit, defence ministers from both countries held extensive talks, covering additional procurement of S-400 air defence systems and delayed military hardware shipments affected by the Ukraine war. The S-400 platform, procured under a USD 5 billion deal, played a major role during Operation Sindoor.

The Kremlin has also hinted that Russia may propose the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet, which would put Moscow in direct competition with Western aircraft makers.

Energy ties face renewed pressure

India remains among the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude. However, fresh US sanctions on key Russian oil producers have led to a dip in purchases.

Putin’s visit also comes at a time of strain in India-US ties, with Washington recently imposing steep tariffs on Indian goods — including measures linked directly to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

Massive security deployment in Delhi

Delhi Police have stationed over 5,000 personnel across central and New Delhi districts, supported by SWAT teams, anti-terror units, snipers, quick-reaction teams, anti-drone systems, HD-CCTV networks and layered surveillance measures for the visit.

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India visit

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting Opposition leaders, calling it a sign of “insecurity,” hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi.

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12 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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Rahul Gandhi

As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi today for the India-Russia Annual Summit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his charge that the Centre discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting Opposition representatives. He called it a sign of “insecurity” within the government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges break in long-followed tradition

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that it has traditionally been the norm for visiting foreign leaders to meet the Leader of the Opposition, a practice he claims continued during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

He alleged that the present government advises foreign dignitaries against such meetings. “When foreign leaders come, the government suggests they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy,” Gandhi said. He added that a meeting with the Opposition offers visiting leaders a broader perspective, as “we too represent India.”

Gandhi further stated that this approach reflects the government’s reluctance to allow engagement between the Opposition and foreign guests.

Former Foreign Secretary counters Gandhi’s remarks

Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said visiting leaders operate on very tight schedules and there is no protocol mandating a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that such interactions depend entirely on the guest’s time and preference, noting that the required meetings are those with the President and the Prime Minister.

Putin’s schedule packed with bilateral engagements

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in Delhi this evening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. His itinerary includes:

  • A private dinner with PM Modi
  • Visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat
  • Engagements at Bharat Mandapam and Hyderabad House
  • A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu

The visit forms part of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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