Babri Masjid Demolition: A Stain On Secularism

Babri Masjid Demolition: A Stain On Secularism

- Kingson Chingakham

Kingson Chingakham

Twenty five years back, on December 6, 1992, Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished putting a permanent scar on India’s secularism. The memories have not died and it continues to bring a sense of apprehensiveness among the people. Apart from the political significance, this event has been an area of psychological and historical studies. This exertion of domination of the majorities and the politics of divisiveness has not faded, but in fact, have been burgeoning. Historically, 1990s saw intensification of saffronisation and increasing trend of violent vigilantism against the minorities. The saffron legitimised this as a form of political culture in India, thereby, challenging the supremacy of the constitution over the community interests. Now, the minorities have a doubt that even the constitution cannot protect them from the pressures of the majority.

The event brought a wide criticism of the way Hinduism was practised. Hinduism has been regarded as an open-ended philosophy which treats ‘the Universe as God’. Due to insensitive nature of the people, guided due to the ideological domination of the political elites, the beauty of Hinduism has been dragged down to just ‘a way of intolerant live and a platform of power politics’. The uncontrolled Ram Janbhoomi movement gave birth to a new form of aggressive leadership.

Lord Shri Rama has been epitomised as a destroyer of the demons. Lord Rama taught us to show compassion even to those who tries to injure us. In the desperation to garner power, we have lost the compassion and teachings of Lord Rama. But instead, the hypocrites from the saffron, who have failed to understand the teachings of Lord Rama, took up the Ram Janbhoomi movement with the use of violence. This is an assault to Lord Ram and to the great devotees like Valmiki and Tulsidas. Since that event, Lord Rama became the Rama of LK Advani and Adityanath.