The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, marked a pivotal moment in Indian history, fueling debates about religion, politics, and identity. As we reflect on the anniversary of this event, these images speak to the chaos of the day, the scale of the protests, and the leaders who shaped its path. Each image bears witness to the passion, violence, and politics that define the scene.
Moving Crowds in Ayodhya
The sheer scale of the merger underscored the cash-rich atmosphere in Ayodhya. Kar sevaks have rallied across the country, responding to the call to “return” the disputed territory.
Leaders Addressing the Crowd
The speeches of BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani stirred up the masses, fueled the passions that culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Sadhvi Uma Bharti in Action
Sadhvi Uma Bharti’s fiery speech during this period became a symbol of BJP’s Hindutva ideology.
First Violation
The breaching of the outer defenses of the Babri Masjid by the kar sevaks marked the beginning of its eventual demolition.
Police Resistance
Time to Wrap Up
The demolition of the mosque, carried out with hammers and tools, took place within hours as the world watched in shock.
Civil Conflicts Break Out
The demolitions led to widespread communal violence across India, with thousands of lives lost in its wake.
The result
The destruction of the mosque left a visible and symbolic void in Ayodhya, forever changing its socio-political landscape.
Protests across India
The demolitions have sparked protests by various political and social groups, highlighting deep divisions in Indian society.
The demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, not only led to one of the darkest chapters of communal violence in Indian history but also left the country grappling with questions of secularism, identity and the rule of law. The massacre sparked nationwide riots that killed more than 2,000 people and fueled religious divisions.
After this demolition, a series of legal and political battles broke out. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court ruled for a three-way partition of the disputed land between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and the Ram Lalla idol. However, this decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, leading to a landmark decision in 2019.
The Supreme Court unanimously awarded the entire disputed land of 2.77 hectares to the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust for the construction of a Ram temple, while ordering the government to allot five hectares of land elsewhere in Ayodhya to the Sunni Waqf Board of the mosque.
The Ram Mandir was opened to the public on January 22, 2024, following a grand pran pratishtha ceremony. The construction of various small temples in this area is still going on.
Meanwhile, the Babri Masjid demolition case concluded in 2020, a special CBI court acquitted all 32 accused, including prominent BJP leaders, citing lack of evidence.