Babri Masjid Demolition

It is the Babri Masjid Demolition: A Watershed Moment in India’s History. Thousands of Hindu nationalist groups demolished the Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, on December 6, 1992. This demolition marked the end of a long-standing dispute over the site, which Hindus believe is the birthplace of Lord Rama. Despite such promises to the Supreme Court that it would save the mosque, the demolition went on to spark riots in the entire country and left thousands dead, worsening relations between Hindus and Muslims. The whole incident marked a turning point in Indian history, following years of legal battle over the disputed land. In 2019, the Supreme Court also delivered a verdict that handed out the site to Hindus in order to construct a Ram temple and ordered alternative land for constructing a mosque. The construction of this temple began in 2020 and was still a matter of much national interest, reflecting socio-political and religious cracks in the country.

The destruction of Babri Masjid remains a prime flashpoint in discussions related to communal harmony, secularism, and the country’s political landscape.