Public meeting marks 32nd anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition, exposes saffron fascist forces

By Harsh Thakor*

On December 6, 2024, activists from numerous organizations gathered for a massive demonstration and public meeting to mark the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. The event, organized jointly by Lok Raj Sangathan and other groups, highlighted the ongoing struggle to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and resist communal violence fueled by divisive politics.

Participating organizations included the Social Democratic Party of India, Welfare Party of India, Communist Ghadar Party of India, Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, Lok Paksh, Citizens for Democracy, Students Islamic Organisation, Mazdoor Ekta Committee, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, The Sikh Forum, CPI (M-L) – New Proletarian, United Muslims Front, and others. Prominent speakers included S. Raghavan (Lok Raj Sangathan), Dr. Rais Uddin (Welfare Party of India), Mohammed Shafi (Social Democratic Party of India), Prakash Rao (Communist Ghadar Party of India), Dr. SQR Ilyas (All India Muslim Personal Law Board), and many more.

Speakers reflected on the demolition of the 16th-century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Despite assurances by the Uttar Pradesh government to the Supreme Court to protect the mosque, karsevaks demolished it under the patronage of BJP leaders, including then-party president L.K. Advani. The Congress-led central government and police forces stood by helplessly.

The Lieberhan Commission, established to investigate the incident, took 17 years to deliver its report, holding 68 people, including prominent BJP leaders, accountable. Yet, in 2020, a Special CBI Court acquitted all the accused citing a "lack of evidence." The Srikrishna Commission further exposed the complicity of BJP, Congress, and Shiv Sena leaders in inciting communal violence. However, even after three decades, justice remains elusive.

The Supreme Court’s 2019 decision to award the disputed site for the construction of a Ram temple was viewed by many as legitimizing the illegal demolition. This campaign, driven by political motives, sought to deepen divisions between Hindus and Muslims, distracting the masses from pressing issues like unemployment and poverty.

The speakers also addressed ongoing attempts to create communal discord, such as the disputes over the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura. Recent incidents of police violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, against protestors opposing these divisive claims, resulted in at least four deaths, further highlighting the misuse of power to perpetuate communal tensions.

Speakers condemned the inaction against those responsible for the demolition and communal violence, emphasizing that the attack on Babri Masjid was an attack on justice-loving people of all communities. Declaring that "We, the people of India, oppose the destruction of any place of worship," they reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the universal right to conscience and religious freedom.

The gathering concluded with a unanimous resolution to persist in the fight for justice and demand accountability under the principle of command responsibility. Participants called for a society free of communal violence, where unity and equality prevail, and divisive politics has no place.

---

*Freelance journalist

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Budget 2026 focuses on pharma and medical tourism, overlooks public health needs: JSAI

By A Representative Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India (JSAI) has criticised the Union Budget 2026, stating that it overlooks core public health needs while prioritising the pharmaceutical industry, private healthcare, medical tourism, public-private partnerships, and exports related to AYUSH systems. In a press note issued from New Delhi, the public health network said that primary healthcare services and public health infrastructure continue to remain underfunded despite repeated policy assurances.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

Silencing the university: How fear is replacing debate in academic India

By Sunil Kyumar* “Republic Day is a powerful symbol of our freedom, Constitution, and democratic values. This festival gives us renewed energy and inspiration to move forward together with the resolve of nation-building”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2026. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also shared a Sanskrit subhashita— “Paratantryābhibhūtasya deśasyābhyudayaḥ kutaḥ. Ataḥ svātantryamāptavyaṁ aikyaṁ svātantryasādhanam.”

Harsh Mander moves police over Assam CM’s remarks on Bengali-speaking Muslims

By A Representative Peace and justice worker and writer Harsh Mander has filed a police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over public statements made on January 27 at an official event in Digboi, Tinsukia district, alleging that the remarks promote hatred, harassment and discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam.

Advisor appointment rekindles debate on governance in Jammu & Kashmir

By Raqif Makhdoomi* The government in Jammu and Kashmir has completed approximately one and a half years in office. During the initial phase of its tenure, public expectations were shaped by commitments made during the election campaign. In particular, the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, stated at a press conference held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) that major promises would be addressed within the first six months of governance. As the government has now crossed two such six-month periods, public discourse continues to assess the extent to which these commitments have been met.

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Search This Blog