In the 1980s, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) began a campaign for the construction of a temple dedicated to Rama at the site, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its political voice. Several rallies and marches were held as a part of this movement, including the Ram Rath Yatra led by L. K. Advani.
On 6 December 1992 the VHP and the BJP organised a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers, known as kar sevaks. The rally turned violent, and the crowd overwhelmed security forces and tore down the mosque. A subsequent inquiry into the incident found 68 people responsible, including several leaders of the BJP and the VHP. The demolition resulted in several months of intercommunal rioting between India’s Hindu and Muslim communities, causing the death of at least 2,000 people.
Since 1992 Babri Mosque demolition, Ayodhya has again witnessed a huge build up of extremist spearheaded by Shiv Sena and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) who displayed a massive ‘show of strength.
The Centre was urged to take action on the “Ram Mandir” issue ahead of 2019 general elections. Senior Shiv Sena Ieader Sanjay Raut stirred the Babri Masjid demolition issue as a way of applying pressure on the BJP to bring an ordinance on Ram Mandir. He maintained that “The Babri Masjid was demolished in 17 minute how long does it take to prepare papers to bring ordinance”.
SC bench comprising of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul in its 12 November verdict declined an early hearing of petitions in Babri Masjid dispute till Jan 2019. In the backdrop of Indian SC verdict, statements from some extremists Ieaders demanded of early decision on the Babri Masjid issue.
The Supreme Court in March 2019, ordered mediation in the Ayodhya title suit. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi passed the order to this effect.
Mediation will start within a week at Faizabad and state of UP has to make arrangements, the Supreme Court ruled. Mediation panel has to give its report within four weeks.
The mediation will be done by a three-member panel, which the Supreme Court said, will be at liberty to induct more mediators or seek legal assistance. Justice FM Khalifulah, the retired Supreme Court judge is the chairman of the panel.
Art of Living head Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu are the other mediators on the panel. Panchu is a trained mediator.
RSS joint general secretary, Manmohan Vaidya said that “Ram temple is a matter of national pride and glory”. UP CM Adityanath termed SC judgment as an injustice to the Hindus of the country, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said, “I want to say that the court should give its verdict soon, and if it is unable to do so, it should hand over the issue to us. We will resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute within 24 hours. We won’t take 25 hours.”
BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy pitched for an ordinance to force the matter out of the court’s hands. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat appealed for a separate law for the construction of Ram temple and urged the apex court to ‘expedite its decision.
Apparently, the BJP Leadership/Modi is keeping a deliberate mum on the issue, however, Hindu-Muslim card will be the last resort for the revival of party politics.
Making “Ram mandir 2019 campaign elections. .
Syed Adil, writer is a freelancer from central kashmir.
