Co-Written by Dr. Md Afroz & Md Tabrez Alam
6 December 1992 was the day when Babri Masjid was demolished and it was the day when Muslims realised the horrific trailer of Hindu-Rashtra. This was the day of minority’s illusion of equality and egalitarian fade away and the credibility of state badly damaged in failing to provide safety & security of minorities. It is believed Lord Ram was born there and emperor Babur built mosque over it. Though, no substantive historical evidence support this claim. Yet it is considered question of majority faith and matter could not resolved between parties each one attest non-negotiable position. The delay in court judgment frustrated both parties that created euphoric sentiment among masses and with the involvement of politics it added fire. If Supreme Court could have timely intervened and had delivered judgment it would have not much damaged to civic nationalism and it would also have not pave the way for ethnic politics.
Why Muslim not Forget Demolition?
Post Babri riot’s generation are still alive with haunting memories of sufferings. It is very difficult for them to forget who lost their loved one. It is advised to forget and move forward, but is it so easy? Answer is no, few occurrences remained stitch to the collective psyche of a community that have gone through it. Can Sikh ever forget 1984 massacre? can Jews forget the Holocaust? Can Rohingya ever forget their ethnic cleansing respectively? The answer would be never. Similarly the demolition of Babri Masjid has same sentimental effect on community’s psyche that would be never forgotten or made to forgotten. The demolition of Babri masjid created a wedge that can never be bridged. Though, there is a ray of hope that communities may try to reconcile the differences.
Redefining Indian Politics
India is considered one of the largest democracy in the world and it proudly celebrate 73rd independence this year. Democracy sustain on the ideals of principle such as liberty, equality, justice, secularism which is also endorsed in Indian Constitution that cemented nation together. Yet, there are many flaws and stains in our democracy. Post Partition ghost almost closed in history books and coming generation moved forward reconciling with then situations. But there was a seed of conflict covered under the soil by colonial British for its geo-political interest that never been uprooted and it was Hindu-Muslim communal divide periodically outpour in riots and it has becomes a distinctive feature of Indian social life. There are series of riots; Kolkata, Rourkela, Jamshedpur (1961-1964), Ahmedabad (1969), Bhiwandi (1970), Jamshedpur (1979), Moradabad (1980), Bihar sharif (1981), Nellie (1983), Bombay–Bhiwandi (1984) and later period state alleged massacres anti-Sikh (1984), Post Babri-Demolition (1992), Gujrat (2002), Kandhamal (2008), Assam (2012), Mujjaffarnagar (2013) are horrendous act inflicted upon minorities to subjugate them (Outlook). Although, none of them bring impactful consequences on socio-political system of this country except 1984 anti-Sikh riot and Post Babri-Demolition riots. It permanently created a distrust between state and society and minorities especially Muslims feel heavily marginalised. Sikhs are geographically concentrated in Punjab found refuge there and over the period evolved own socio-political system distinctively. Whereas Muslims are scattered across many states found nowhere to go except community pockets in search of safety & security. The high concentration of minority in a certain location is curse for them whereas it becomes opportune for political parties to the power. So-called Secular parties have always been encashed support by giving lofty promises & sloganeering . Though persistence marginalisation tend to develop anxiety and frustration among Muslims. Whereas Hindus being mesmerised that minority appeasement is reason of Hindus bad condition. Irony is that both majority Hindu and minority Muslim are fed-up and disillusioned with Indian secularism. In contemporary situation, there is a strong ethno-centric political current engulfing entire nation with epicentre of northern India. The rise of ethnic politics is very dangerous, its narrowing down the chances of strengthening roots of democracy. Democracy promises equality and facilitate each one’s participation in the development processes. Whereas ethnicised political system derails civic development and also weaken Indian nationalism.
In Nutshell, Post Babri riots dramatically derailed the civic politics into ethnic politics pan-India. Its magnitude consequence can be measured by mapping political system of contemporary India. It has phenomenal change in the behaviour of state and society. The over communalisation of state agencies and propagandist media damaged more Indian democracy. The remedy lay in building trust among communities by civil engagements and fostering interfaith amalgamation. State must legislate inclusive housing policies, so as to built cohesive society. It will serve two purpose; First, re-integrate segregated ghettos into the rest of society, Secondly, it will counter prejudices and hate mongering and pave way to strong civic nationalism.
Author Details
Dr Md Afroz, teaches Political science & Public Administration @MANUU. he has obtained MPhil, PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia. his interest lies in; federalism, ethnic conflict, Nation-building, democratic decentralization and governance.
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Follow @khwajaAfrozSidd
MD Tabrez Alam, Doctoral Scholar @ Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi. As a researcher, the quest for knowledge begins from the fieldwork. Currently, he is working on Urban inequality and housing segregations in newly developed township India.
For more info.
Follow @ktabrezshams
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