Muslims Remember Babri Mosque Demolition

"We are all here to remind the nation of the darkest deed done by the darkest people in history," a protester was quoted by Asian News International (ANI) on Saturday.

"The criminals who have demolished the Babri Masjid are not only free but now they are in power.

"Hence the danger is multiplied and this means that they will misuse the power to rob, deprive the rights of the minorities in India."

Organized by the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), Saturday's protest has been the first of its kind since the demolition of the mosque in 1992.

Attended by thousands of Muslims, protesters called for restoring and reconstructing Babri mosque.

In 1989 the BJP and VHP put the first building block for the Rama temple close to Babri mosque.

With the electoral victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh in 1991, part of the mosque was demolished, and in 1992 it was completely brought down by Hindu extremists.

A series of clashes took place killing more than 2,000 people mostly Muslims, and leaving thousands injured.

In 2002, clashes renewed in Gujarat due to the killing of VHP members (one of whom was a member of the coalition government) during an attack on a train by people who were claimed to be Muslims. The clashes left 2000 dead.

Till this day clashes take place, but not as bloody as the ones that shook Gujarat in 2002.

Jamaat Too

On its part, Jamaat-e-Islami Hindhas (JIH) issued a strong-worded statement on the anniversary of the mosque demolition in which it called for reconstructing it.

“6th December 1992 is one of the blackest days in the history of India. On that day a fatal assault was made on humanity, democracy, tolerance and religious freedom," JIH said in a statement cited by TwoCircles.net.

"This brutal move caused great mental agony to every peace-loving, human friendly upholder of freedom and rule of law, and our beloved country had to hang her head in shame."

The JIH has also called for bringing the perpetrators to justice, more than two decades after the incident.

“The saga of the last 22 years is no less miserable. Despite talking of democracy and rule of law, those responsible for Babri Masjid demolition are walking free even today," JIH said.

"They were not arrested even for name’s sake; rather they have been deployed to government posts. This is highly shameful and disturbing."

On the other hand, other Muslim leaders have called for calm and restraint over the issue, seeking a solution that would benefit everyone.

"We need to find a way which will benefit both of them because courts haven't solved the issue so far neither will they do in future," former Member of Parliament (MP) from Uttar Pradesh Shahid Siddiqui said.

"It should be solved as it will be in favor of everyone, so such way should be found out which benefits everyone. Going on the streets with guns is not going to solve anything."

As a verdict on the case is expected to be issued by the Supreme Court soon, former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Kamal Farooqui stressed that the ruling should be "accepted" by all parties.

"We request the hearing to happen and complete soon. Like every year this time also all the secular and minority communities in the country are observing black day and protesting, it’s happening everywhere, in Delhi and other places also," he added.
/SR