The demolition of Babri Masjid and the rise of Hindutva extremism
On December 6, 1992, religious fundamentalists razed an ancient Muslim shrine in the city of Ayodhya in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The attack on the Muslim Mosque was instigated by leaders of the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently in power in India. BJP leaders continue to claim that the mosque was built by Babur—an Islamic ruler in 1528-29, after destroying a temple constructed at the site of birthplace of Lord Ram, one of the most revered Hindu gods.
During 1980s, the BJP intensified its vicious campaign for the reconstruction of the Ram temple with an aim to polarize the Hindu majority for electoral gains. The matter was further complicated by the so-called secular Congress party that was in the power back then.
It began pandering to Hindu fundamentalists and allowed Hindu priests to perform rituals at the disputed site. The Congress government even launched Ramayan—a TV serial based on the Hindu epic of Lord Ram—on public broadcast.
During the years that followed, all actors playing the main characters, including Ram and Raavan, the villain of the story, joined the BJP. These ugly developments culminated in the demolition of the mosque by mobs who had gathered there after a call given by the BJP.
Babri episode therefore needs to be understood in the broader context of sectarian politics being played in India by the ruling classes with impunity.
Ever since the mosque was destroyed, the communal environment of India has turned highly sensitive. The incident was followed by anti-Muslim pogrom in Mumbai by Hindu extremists.
In 2002, anti- Muslim carnage was instigated by the BJP government in Gujarat after a train bringing Hindu pilgrims from Ayodhya caught fire, leaving more than 50 passengers dead.
The current Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, was the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat back then. The Modi government blamed Muslims for the incident following which Muslims were targeted across Gujarat by mobs led by BJP supporters. They used techniques similar to those applied against the Sikhs in 1984.
For all these bloody events, the Indian state—whose constitution guarantees religious freedom—needs to be held accountable. Such practices have given space to the BJP to grow over these years.
The ascendancy of BJP to power in 2014 and 2019 under Modi with a brute majority cannot be delinked from these incidents, which represent a clear pattern of using the might of the state to keep minorities under the boot.
we see how attacks on religious minorities in India have grown and with the BJP in power, sectarian forces have gained undue legitimacy.
The courts have also failed to do justice to Muslims who feel insecure and alienated in the current environment. Court given decision on the basis of sentiments of majority (Hindus).
Attacks on Muslims suspected of carrying beef have increased. The self-styled cow vigilantes continue to haunt Muslim travellers, particularly in BJP-ruled states, with the backing of the police.
Since Hindus consider the cow as a sacred animal, the sale and consumption of beef have been outlawed in these states. Also there’s Mob Lynching incidents throughout the country for not Chanting (Jai Shri Ram). Many consider this slogan as an extremist which needs to be banned. How can I forget CAA and NRC. This government make law by which Muslims of India must need to prove their citizenship. If they fail to do so they’ll be either deported from the country or sent to detention camps.
Ironically, the Babri mosque was destroyed on the death anniversary of great Indian scholar Bhim Rao Amebdkar—who predicted the threat of Hindu nationalism to the secular fabric of society much before India gained official independence from the British in 1947.
His prophecy was proven right when the Babri mosque was pulled down in 1992. The assault on the mosque was a direct challenge to the secular constitution of the country that Ambedkar coauthored.
Western powers need to open their eyes to recognize the growing threat of Hindu supremacy. It’s hypocritical of the United States and Canada to go after Taliban in Afghanistan while continuing to ignore the misdeeds of the BJP so as to maintain cozy and diplomatic relations with India. The outrage over one and silence over the other speaks volumes about the selective approach of the world leaders.
The BJP government in particular and the Indian state in general must be made accountable for the crimes against minorities in that part of the world.
