The controversial Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue is a decades-old tussle between two leading religions of the country. Countrymen don’t have time to think about the slowdown of the economy, mass unemployment, hunger, malnutrition and other vital issues, which are linked with everyone. But on Mandir, Masjid issue they are ready to lock horns anytime.
Politicians know nerve
In fact, the majority of them are satisfied despite living in acute poverty and hunger but ready to die for the Mandir and Masjid. Politicians sense the nerve of the people, and they skillfully play with their sentiments for gaining political mileage. In the name of Ram Mandir, many elections were fought in the country, and political outfits got sympathy votes and grabbed power in central and state governments.
Controversy since 1949
Meanwhile, Hindus are claiming that Lord Ram was born where the first Mughal emperor Babar built Babri Masjid in the 16th century. The dispute is since 1949 when an idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the Babri Masjid. Officials that time settled down the matter and locked the property.
Rajiv Gandhi was culprit
In reality, the dispute ignited when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of the country. In 1985, he overruled a secular court’s decision in Shah Bano’s divorce case and allowed the Sharia law to be followed in divorce matters of Muslims. India is a secular country; you have to see all sections and keep everyone happy and satisfied.
Rajiv orders to unlock
To a certain extent, those days, people were not satisfied with his working style. How to get the sympathy of Hindus? So only months later, Rajiv Gandhi restored the parity and ordered to remove the locks from the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Since then, people are fighting from court to street to perform puja or namaz in that place.
Hindus begin worship
At last, in 1986 Faizabad District judge Hari Shankar Pandey passed the order to unlock the Babri Masjid and allowed the Hindus to worship. Politicians from the other side were not far behind; they formed ‘The Babri Masjid Action Committee’ in the same year to gain free sympathy. Gradually it became the hot topic across the country. People were anxiously waiting to know the latest developments of Ayodhya. Since then, communal forces in the country became active and getting mass support.
Masjid demolition in 1992
By the time many politicians came into limelight like LK Advani, Syed Shahabuddin and many more, later they became the household name. Their movements and speeches were followed with religious sentiments. Ultimately the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992, after that massive riots broke out in some part of the country, killed over 2000 people. The Narasimha Rao government formed the Liberhan Commission to investigate the case.
The path-breaking decision by CJI
No decision was taken since its demolition in 1992, meanwhile on October 16, 2019 Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi said: “Enough is enough”. He also made it clear that the decades-old controversial Babri Masjid demolition case will finally be laid to rest and concluded the hearing on that day.
SC verdict on November 17
It is expected that the Supreme Court (SC) will deliver its ruling on November 17, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has rescheduled all its programmes lined up for the November. Apart from this RSS has also asked its workers to cancel all their pipeline tours of this month.
Police gear up
The countdown for the Supreme Court verdict has started, the law enforcing agencies in Uttar Pradesh are also gearing up to cope with the situation to thwart any untoward incident. Police are round the clock alert to keep peace in some sensitive districts of the state to control the large congregation. Police officers have repaired official vehicles; the public address system is being corrected and tested.
Rumours create havoc
“It is important for us that vehicles and the public address system are in perfect order in communally sensitive places. This would not just help in countering rumours and also help in crowd control. Rumours and uncontrolled mobs can play havoc in a situation, where mass sentiment is involved,” said a senior police officer.
Eyes on social media
“We are already tracking the social media in a big way to check for rumours and misinformation being passed around. Our focus is also on potential trouble makers, and we may opt for preventive detention if the situation demands,” said the police official.
Demand for peace
The positive sign is that strong message has been issued together by BJP, RSS and heads of prominent Muslim religious and social organisations on Tuesday and appeal to the people of the nation to maintain communal harmony ahead of the Ayodhya verdict.
Accept SC decision respectfully
The RSS emphasised on India’s “inclusive culture” and the mindset of “nation first”. Meanwhile, two prominent Muslim outfits All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamaat-e-Islami Hindi issued statements and urge the people to accept the apex court’s decision respectfully on Ayodhya verdict.
Administration alert
Moreover, the administration doesn’t like to take any risk. It has been taking all the necessary steps to maintain peace. Media debate is not allowed without permission. People have been asked not to throw animal flesh in public places. Gathering of more than five people at one place will also be prohibited without permission. Section 144 has been imposed in Ayodhya till December 28.
Kartik Purnima on November 12
The holy event of Kartik Purnima is falling on Tuesday, November 12, devotees will take a dip in river Sarayu. Last year 800,000 people visited Ayodhya on this occasion. This time the figure is likely to be higher.
Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya
It is needless to add that the administration has made elaborate security arrangement to maintain peace during Kartik Purnima, additional security personnel will also be deployed across the city to curb any situation. This time everyone is adamant about keeping order. Therefore gossipmongers will not get much chance for committing a breach of the peace.
