The Babri Masjid Demolition: An Appalling Legacy of Hindutva Radicalism

32 years after the Babri Masjid demolition, India’s slide into Hindutva extremism continues, with minorities still bearing the brunt of a government that champions religious intolerance.

On December 6th, 1992, a tragedy unfolded in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as Hindutva forces, backed by the Indian state, destroyed the Babri Masjid. Today marks 32 years since that brutal assault on history. The images of that day still haunt Muslims across India and the world.

The demolition was no accidental outburst of violence. It was a meticulously planned operation orchestrated by Hindutva ideologues. The BJP, RSS, VHP, and Shiv Sena led a mob of fanatics to tear down the mosque. This wasn’t an uncontrollable mob frenzy; it was cold, calculated political violence aimed at rewriting India’s history.

In 2019, the Indian Supreme Court issued a controversial ruling that allowed the construction of a Hindu temple at the Babri Masjid site. This was a direct validation of the Hindu nationalist agenda. What’s even more egregious is that the Chief Justice who presided over the case, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, was later rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat by the BJP, cementing the judiciary’s complicity in the political project of Hindutva.

The Supreme Court’s decision wasn’t about justice. It was a political verdict, bending to the pressure of the ruling party. Top BJP leaders, including L.K. Advani, who played a significant role in the demolition, were acquitted. This decision wasn’t just a miscarriage of justice—it was a slap in the face of all those who believe in a secular India.

Under Narendra Modi’s rule, the situation has only worsened. The Hindu nationalist forces continue to target Muslim religious sites with impunity. Mosques are being destroyed, and temples are being built in their place. The names of Muslim institutions and streets are being replaced with Hindu names, erasing the cultural heritage of millions.

The worst part is the treatment of Muslims. Under the BJP-RSS regime, Muslims are treated as second-class citizens. They face violence, discrimination, and even lynching. The government has failed to protect them, and the international community’s silence has been deafening. In many parts of India, it’s become clear that animals are treated better than Muslims, who are persecuted for simple acts like eating beef or transporting cattle.

Minorities, including Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and low-caste Hindus, are also suffering under the BJP’s oppressive rule. This climate of fear and violence is alarming. The global community must take urgent action, as there are increasing warnings of a potential genocide of Muslims, both in India and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Babri Masjid demolition wasn’t just the destruction of a building—it was the destruction of India’s secular identity. It marked the beginning of an era where Hindutva forces would use state power to target minorities. The consequences of that day are still being felt, and the fight for justice continues.