THE STIGMA

If someone asks me, what is your country to you? I’ll say it is a family with more than a billion members with different cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions. 17 years ago something happened which moved the entire Nation. That time I was a child. But it was the incidence which moved even a child. I didn’t have any idea about religion, politics and all that. So that time I didn’t get anything. But now I’m not a child any more. Now I got everything that what happened 17 years ago. I know my country’s Constitution. I went through that. The entire Constitution…. The concept of secularism is implicit in preamble of the Constitution which declares the resolve of the people to secure to all its citizens “liberty to through, belief, faith and worship”. But may be our Politicians do not have any idea about that. And who cares? If you have that power and position, then you don’t have to care? But it was the most shameful incidence where these people didn’t hesitate to misuse even “religion”. 6th December 1992 was the diabolic day, Baburi masjid was destroyed by a political rally.

Liberhan Commission: The Liberhan commission is a long running inquiry commissioned by the Indian government to investigate the destruction of the disputed structure Babari mosque in Ayodhya in 1992. Led by retired Indian Supreme Court Judge M.S Liberhan, it was formed on 16 December 1992 by the order of the Indian home ministry following the demolition and the riots after that. The commission was expected to submit its report within 3 months. Extentions were given 48 times and after a delay of 17 years, the commission submitted the report to PM Manmohan Singh on 30th June 2009. The one man panel, one of the country’s longest running inquiry commissions, cost the government Rs. 8 crore and wrote the report on the sequence of events leading to the destruction of the mosque. May be there are so many questions are arising on the genuinty of the commission like leaking the facts in media and all that. But this is not the topic of our discussion. The commission has recommended some changes or provisions to avoid such further incidence. But before that just take a look at some other facts related to this “Disputed area”.

History: Babari masjid of Ayodhya is mosque on Ramkot hill in Uttar Pradesh. It was constructed in 1527 by the order of Babur. It was said that his commander-in-chief Mir Baqi destroyed the existing temple at the site which commemorated the birth place of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the ruler of Ayodhya. It was one of the largest mosque in UP. There are more than 31 millon Muslims there. Although there are several other mosques in the city includes Hazrat bal, constructed by Shariqui kings and many more, but Babari Masjid became the largest due to the importance of "disputed site".

The 1st recorded incidence of violence over the issue between Hindus and Muslims took place in1853 during the region of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. According to the dist Gazetter faizabad 1905, it is said that “up to this time (1855) both Hindu and Muslims used to worship in the same building.

ASI Report: In 2003, ASI conducted “Stones and decorated bricks as well as multilated sculpture of a divide couple and carved architectural features including foliage patterns with semi circular Shrine pilaster, broke octagonal shaft of black schist pillar, lotus motif, circular shrine and 50 pillar bases in association with a huge structure”

Fallout: Muslims criticized claiming that is failed to mention any evidence of a temple in its interim reports and only revealed it in the final report which was submitted during a time of National tension making the report highly suspect. This view was shared by many Muslim religious groups including the Sunni Waqf board and the All India Muslim Personal Board. Examining the ASI’s conclusion of mandir under the structure, VHP and RSS stepped up demands for Muslims to restore the 3 holiest north Indian mandirs to Hindus.

The Diabolic day of Demolition:

Dec 6th 1992, was the day, actually the shameful day. The entire act happened like this:

9:30 am: Union Home secretary asked the DIG, Indo- Tibetan Border Police, to “keep paramilitary force ready” incase the State Govt demanded assistance and in such a scenario to deploy the forces without waiting for formal orders from orders from Delhi.

The home secretary also requested the UP principal secretary present at the time at the residence of Kalyan Singh and the UP DGP to persuade the CM to use central forces. But the CM was interested only fulfilling the BJP’s manifesto promise the creation of Ram mandir. L.K Advani, M.M Joshi, Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj kishor, Uma Bharati, Sadvi Ritambara, Vinay Katiar met at Katiyar residence in the morning on Dec 6 before leaving for the disputed site(the report silent on what transpired at the meeting).

10:30 a.m: Advani, Joshi, Katiyar, Singhal reached the platform at the site along with Sadhus.Karsevaks broke through a security and reached the platform meant for puja.Resistance from the police and administration was negligible, though RSS Swayamsevaks near the platform tried pushing the crowds away.The administration “pretentiously and falsely” assured journalists that all was under control.

11:45 am: the DM and SSP of Faizabad went around of the complex.Around noon, a teenaged Kar sevak clambered onto the dome “signaling the breaking of the outer cordon”.Other Karsevaks wielding pick axes, hammers, iron rods and shorels stormed the disputed structure. The police gave their canes and shields to the Kar Sevaks who brandished these openly.

12:15: The actual assault began. Kar sevaks 1st entered the Garbh Griha and carefully took the idols and cash to a safe place. Continuous brickbats at security forces gave Kar sevaks cover. This was planned to “give the impression of spontaneous chaos”.

12:30 pm: the CM allowed the deployment of central paramilitary forces-but with an order not to fire on the Kar sevaks. At this stage promises made in the election manifesto had been substantially fulfilled and that nothing could be done to undo the demolition or construction of a makeshift temple at the spot”. The paramilitary forces were blocked from reaching near the dome by kar sevaks. Additional paramilitary forces requisition was blocked on their way to the disputed site by Kar Sevaks on the roads-using barricades and stone pelting.

1:15 pm:the DGP argued that the situation could not be brought under control without firing. But the order against the firing was cited.

The first dome was pulled down at 1:55 pm.Forces at the complex were outnumbered and did not have any means of communication with their officers in the control room.CRPF re-gathered at Sita rasoi but no was given to them.Advani, Joshi, Singhal etc made “feeble request to the kar sevaks to climb down from the domes. But the domes could not have been pulled down, without demolition from inside by those who entered.No attempts were made to stop those kar sevaks who drilled holes in the walls and passed ropes through the holes and pulling to bring down the structure.

2:55 pm: after Kalyan Singh had repeatedly refused to allow firing the DM ordered central forces to turn back.

3:30 pm: Riots broke out in Ayodhya.

9:15 pm: President’s rule imposed in UP.

Commission's recommendation: The commission recommended a law providing for exemplary punishment for the missuse of religion for acquiring political power and disqualified of the parties and the canditates having a religious agenda. According to the commission the leaders were responsible for "leading the country to the communal discord", in their individual culpability. There was no mater of doubt admissible in the culpability and responsibility of the CM, minister of the Sangh parivar leaders who form the complete cartel.

Commission addressed Advani, Bajpaye,Kalyan Singh as "Pseudo moderates".

Some important recommendations by the commission are:

Put in place statutory and institutional safeguards to stop mixing religion with Politics.

Govt response: Plans to bring bill to prevent and control communal violence.

Commission: Political leaders and holders of constitutional offices shouldn’t hold offices in religious organizations.

Govt: Agrees in part. Those holding public offices shouldn’t hold positions in religious bodies.

Commission: special law for punishment for misuse of religion, caste for political gains. Special regional tribunals for such cases.

Govt: Accepted. Communal violence Bill contemplators special courts.

Commission: Election commission should examine complain by any citizen regarding use action, including disqualification.

Govt: The matter will be referred to election commission. Set up a panel to review Constitutional deficiencies. A commission has review constitutional deficiencies.

Commission: Disputed structure to be studied by historians and experts not politicians, jurists or journalists. A statutory national commission for the purpose can be set up.

Govt: ASI needs to be strengthened. The commission recommendationed a law providing for exemplary punishment for misuse of religion for acquiring political power and disqualification of parties and candidates having a “RELIGIOUS AGENDA”.

Commission, recomendations,investigations and all that every thing was neccessary. But my confusion is still there. WHY IT HAPPEND? WAS THAT REALLY NECCESSARY? JUST FOR VOTE BANK. NO COMMISSION AND NOTHING CAN STOP SUCH INCIDENT IN THE FUTURE AS LONG THIS VOTE BANK POLITICS will EXSIST...

IT IS A STIGMA TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST DEMOCRACY.