India mosque demolition day marked with rebuilding demands

By: Nizam Hussain

LUCKNOW, India: Indian Muslims on Monday December 6 observed 'Black Day' amidst tight security marking the 12th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri mosque.

Saffron outfits led by VHP celebrated the day as 'Shaurya Diwas'.

Security was stepped up around the site of the 1992 mosque demolition which sparked one of India's worst sectarian riots in which more than 3,000 people died, mostly Muslims.

Talking to reporters, a local leader of the Babri Mosque Action Committee Haji Mehboob said: “It is a day of mourning for us. Our resolve is to see that the mosque is rebuilt.”

On December 6, 1992, hard-line Hindus destroyed the 16th-century Babri mosque in Ayodhya in a fiery campaign to build a temple to god-king Ram in the town, which they believe was his birthplace. They believe a temple was destroyed by Muslim warriors at the site in the 16th century.

In national capital New Delhi, hundreds of Muslims demonstrated near the parliament building to demand rebuilding of the mosque.

“The Congress party had promised that they will reconstruct the Babri mosque once they are in power. Therefore, we are staging a demonstration to remind them of their promise,” said Muslim B. Abdur Rahim.

In Bombay, a huge demonstration was staged demanding reconstruction of Babri mosque.

The Muslims, kept their business establishments closed and wore black badges as a mark of protest while the Faizabad unit of All India Muslim League staged dharna (sit-in) and sent a memorandum to President A P J Abdul Kalam demanding reconstruction of Babri Mosque.

The issue also generated heated arguments on Monday in the lower house of parliament with opposition BJP and ruling coalition members trading accusations over the demolition.

Nearly 3,000 activists of Sangh Parivar outfits and Muslim groups were taken into custody for defying prohibitory orders and holding rallies and demonstrations in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, and different parts of the country to press for their respective demands.

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