Bajrang Dal will observe the 23rd anniversary of the Babri mosque demolition on Sunday as “Shourya Divas” (Valour Day). While the organisation has been observing the day all these years, the context of the recent death of Ashok Singhal, leader of the VHP, its parent organisation, and the Sangh Parivar’s reiteration of its commitment to build a Ram temple as the “true” tribute to him, has made the event, otherwise “routine”, acquire greater symbolic importance.

Nationwide programmes 

There will be programmes across the country, including at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, where the mosque stood till December 6, 1992.

Fireworks, processions, recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and a pledge in support of the temple are part of the celebration, VHP leader Vinod Bansal said.

Mr. Bansal said “Shourya Divas” had helped the organisation “pay tribute” to those who contributed to the Ram temple movement and inform the youth about it to have a future supply of sympathisers for the cause.

VHP wants law to build Ram temple 

The VHP has reiterated that the Centre should get a law passed by Parliament or promulgate an ordinance to pave the way for a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

“Four rounds of talks have failed as the rival party ran away from them. Now the one way out is to build a Ram temple the way the Somnath temple was rebuilt after Independence. The government should pass a Bill in Parliament or bring an ordinance for the same,” VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain told The Hindu. “This would be a true homage to the late Ashok Singhal,” he said.

Left to protest today

The Left parties, which are observing a week-long protest against intolerance, will stage a protest across India on Sunday.

“The RSS has become desperate and wants to create strife and keep the temple issue alive. They are acting as an extra-constitutional authority. They know that the BJP government is fast getting unpopular and want to push through their divisive Hindutva agenda quickly,” CPI leader D. Raja told The Hindu. “We will remember this day both as Babri mosque demolition day and the death anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, who gave us our progressive Constitution whose values we have to uphold.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently said he was confident a Ram temple would come up in Ayodhya during his lifetime.

This had led to protests in Parliament by the Samajwadi Party, which accused the Sangh of disturbing social harmony.

The Ayodhya title suit has been pending before the Supreme Court after the parties challenged the Allahabad High Court’s decision to divide the site among the litigants.

THE CASE TIMELINE

• ›1949: Idols of Ram Lalla are placed surreptitiously under the central dome.
• › 1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files first suit in Faizabad civil court for rights to perform pooja to Ram Lalla.
• › 1950: Paramahansa Ramachandra Das files a suit for continuation of pooja and keeping idols in the structure.
• › 1959: Nirmohi Akhara files third suit, seeking direction to hand over charge of the disputed site. U.P. Sunni Central Wakf Board files fourth suit in 1961 for declaration and possession and fifth in 1989 in the name of Ram Lalla Virajman for declaration and possession.
• › 1986: District judge orderes locks be removed. Site opened for Hindu worshippers.
• › 1989: The four suits pending were transferred to the High Court.
• › 1991: U.P. govt. acquires land around the structure for convenience of devotees who attend Ram Lalla darshan.
• › 1993: Govt. takes over 67 acres of land around the area, seeks SC’s opinion on whether there existed a Hindu place of worship before the structure was built.
• › 1994: Case goes back to Lucknow Bench of HC, suits heard again from 1996.

Read the full judgement in the Ayodhya verdict

The Supreme Court’s intervention	Slideshow: Protestors observe ‘Black Day’
Sangh Parivar keeps temple issue alive	Plaintiff’s retraction won’t affect Babri case: Azam Khan
The Supreme Court’s intervention	The “Ram temple” drama

Tight security in Ayodhya for 23rd Babri Masjid anniversary

December 6, 2015 Top Stories 0 Comments

Faizabad: The Faizabad district administration has stepped up security and is taking measures to maintain peace ahead of the VHP’s ‘big show’ here tomorrow to mark the 23rdanniversary of Babri Masjid demolition.

The district administration conducted a high-level security meeting in Ayodhya ahead of the planned event.

Intelligence reports have suggested that the gathering at the VHP event may see a breach of the peace, police sources said.

VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma has said that ‘Hindu Swabhimaan Diwas’ (Hindu Respect Day) will be observed tomorrow. “We have sent invites through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. We are hopeful that a large number of people will turn up,” he said.

Faizabad District Magistrate Anil Dheengra said, “We are extra cautious and keeping a close vigil so the communal harmony is not disturbed.”

Heavy police force has been deployed at the venue of the VHP’s event in Ayodhya under the supervision of senior officials.

Forces have been kept on high alert in the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya, he said.