Again That Black Day

The weak and oppressed Muslims of the country have recently observed 6th December as Black Day. Twenty one years ago historic Babri Masjid was demolished on this day by a satanic conspiracy under the patronage of guards of Constitution and watchdogs of Law. The tragedy occurred in broad daylight with a live telecast in a country; the biggest laboratory of democracy.  The then late President of the Republic called it an act of hooliganism. Situation worsened throughout the country but government arranged safe return journey of hooligans to their homes. And instead of healing the wounds of oppressed Muslims; they were massacred by police and paramilitary forces.

Succumbing to the situation the then guilty prime minister announced that the Masjid will be rebuilt at the same place but the promise could not be fulfilled till date. Prayers were regularly offered in the historic Babri Masjid and it was never a dispute in the history. Babri Masjid was built by Mir Baqi (Babar’s Commander) and it carried its epigraph in Persian till its date of demolition. Tulsi Das authored Ramayan in the age of Akbar a Hindu friendly emperor and Babar’s grandson. It does not contain any complaint. In the night of 22-23rd December 1949 few mischief mongers secretly entered into the masjid and placed idols and locked it. The immediate F.I.R. recorded by a Hindu police constable Mata Prasad mentioning Babri Masjid five times calling for necessary action. Instead of restoring sanctity of masjid and removing idols; idols were kept on the pulpit and entry of Muslims not only into masjid but also in the vicinity was banned. Locking the masjid; idol worship was allowed on its gate. Administration did all these under the auspices of the government. Injustice was done in the name of justice and lawlessness in the name of law. This was the first ’legal’ attack on Babri Masjid.

Obviously it cannot be kept hidden. Matter went to the court. Justice gasped for thirty seven years. A single case became a multiple one and reached to high court from the local court. But offering of namaz was forcefully stopped and idol worshipping went on the gate of Masjid; under the auspices of the government.

On 1st February 1986 while the cases were pending in the Allahabad high court; suddenly an irrelevant man filed a petition in the Faizabad court asking for unlocking Babri Masjid and seeking permission to perform idol worship inside it. Petition was filed at 4 p.m. and ex parte one sided illegal judgment was announced at 5 p.m.  The said court was not authorized to listen to the petition as the matter was pending in the high court. Instead of unlocking, the lock was broken and a frenzied mob entered shouting inflammatory slogans. The whole show was telecast live on T.V. as planned. This happened when a party ‘champion’ of secularism and ’protector’ of Muslims ruled in the state as well as at center. Thus Babri Masjid was practically converted into a temple without any legal legitimacy. This act of oppression was also performed through a court and was shown to the world without any shame.

Then the fire of hatred burned for several years. Baseless claims and mischievous slogans aggravated the situation. Shila pujan, shila nayas “mandir waheen banayenge”, and hype of pulling down of hundreds of other mosques went on. Lust for power danced in the name of Ram mandir pooh-poohing law and the Constitution. At last on 6th December 1992, in the presence of police and paramilitary forces disobeying the order of Supreme Court in spite of affidavit by state government; Babri Masjid was demolished. It all proved that the Constitution is in-effective, justice has no constant meaning and our religious freedom is no more.

Whom and how come we can trust regarding Babri Masjid? This is a serious and important question. Except few persons which organization and institution we can rely on? The Constitution is a memorandum of great value and importance guiding the legislature and judiciary. But let’s not forget that its real value does not lie in its words but in its implementation. However not only in the case of Babri Masjid; rather regarding problems of Muslims implementation of the constitution is a big puzzle. Muslims’ citizenship becomes doubtful when desired and text of Constitution loses its meaning. When referring to Constitution Muslims demand shariah laws fundamental rights take back seat and directive principles come to the fore which are just recommendations. These principles are not remembered for banning liquor. When Muslims rightly demand reservation proportionate to their population then the excuse is: reservation cannot be given on the basis of religion though reservation is already being given according to religion. A scheduled caste Hindu gets reservation but is deprived of the same when he embraces Islam or Christianity. Thus the most important memorandum for citizens becomes ineffective for Indian Muslims.

Next come Parliament and Assemblies which are supposed to legislate within the boundaries of Constitution. However most of the time legislation is done for pride and interests. Though India is a welfare state but people’s representatives make law keeping in mind race, language and region with prejudice and vested interest. Where there is a politics of vote instead of principles who will support the demand of restoration and rebuilding of Babri Masjid.

Judiciary is the last resort for the weak and oppressed. But regarding Babri Masjid it is more perplexed and problematic. Had judiciary given right and just order on police FIR regarding what happened on the night on 22-23 December 1949; history of our country would have been different and Babri Masjid might not have been demolished. But right from the illegal orders on this FIR till the judgment of Allahabad High Court whatever is going on who can assure that it will not be repeated in future.

One more serious matter is that of “National Press”. Especially Hindi Press becomes Hindu Press in such cases. It has started calling it Ayodhya dispute instead of Babri Masjid. A press which cannot tolerate the word of Babri Masjid how they can be relied on to support the demand of restoration and reconstruction of Babri Masjid.

Muslim MPs and MLAs are also obstacles in the reconstruction of Babri Masjid who do not represent Muslims in the Assemblies but are representatives and servants of their political parties. However their political mentors present them as Muslim representative when needed. In fact they are like grave diggers who are appointed to burry problems of Muslims. They keep mum when there is a need to speak and when they speak it is to harm Muslims. If someone genuinely stands for justice and speaks for Muslims, anti Muslim elements attack him. We very well remember that secular Syed Shahabuddin was also branded second Mr. Jinnah for his Babri Masjid movement. His decision to boycott the Republic day celebration was labeled as an act of rebellion against the country. Though such agitation is not uncommon and is tolerated as a part of democracy.

Never forget; the wound of killing of Babri Masjid is not going to heal unless it is rebuilt and regular prayers are performed therein. Nobody can do any type of trading on this. Religious Muslim leadership is well aware of this fact; hence Muslim Personal Law Board and all religious institutions and organizations support this stand. However along with its legal defense there is need for a mass movement till the very objective is achieved. We are not in a position to predict when we will achieve our objective and reach our destination but need to declare that the demand of restoration and rebuilding of Babri Masjid is not a political one rather a religious obligation whose fulfillment is compulsory. The way Islamic world cannot give up Baitul Maqdis, the way it is necessary to liberate Masjid-e Qurtuba from Christians. Similarly restoration of all seized mosques along with Babri Masjid is a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of Indian Muslims.

Yeh naghma fasl-e-gulo lala ka naheen paband

Bahar ho keh khizan La ilaha illallah

This melodious song is not confined To Time when rose and tulip bloom
Whatever the season of year be “No god but He” must ring till doom.

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