POLITICAL SCIENCE
PROJECT
TOPIC- AYODHYA
MOVEMENT AND BABRI
MASJID DEMOLITION
INTRODUCTION
The Ayodhya Movement was one of the
most significant socio-political and
religious movements in modern Indian
history. It revolved around the disputed
site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, where the
Babri Masjid, a mosque built in 1528
during the Mughal period, stood. A
section of Hindus believed that this
mosque was constructed after
demolishing a temple that marked the
birthplace of Lord Rama, a highly revered
deity in Hinduism.
The demand to reclaim this site and build
a Ram temple gained momentum during
the late 20th century, especially under the
leadership of political and cultural
organizations that promoted the idea of
Hindutva. This movement not only
highlighted religious sentiments but also
reshaped Indian politics by fueling
debates on secularism, communalism,
and national identity.
The conflict reached its peak on 6th
December 1992, when the Babri Masjid
was demolished by a large group of
activists, leading to widespread
communal riots and violence across the
country. The demolition remains a deeply
sensitive and controversial event,
symbolizing the intersection of faith,
politics, and law in India.
Thus, the Ayodhya Movement and the
demolition of the Babri Masjid mark a
turning point in India's contemporary
history, with long-lasting impacts on its
political and social landscape.
BACKGROUND
The roots of the Ayodhya dispute can be traced back
to the 16th century. In 1528, during the reign of the
Mughal emperor Babur, a mosque known as the
Babri Masjid was constructed in Ayodhya by his
commander Mir Baqi. Over time, a section of Hindus
believed that the mosque stood at the exact
birthplace (janmabhoomi) of Lord Rama, one of the
most worshipped deities in Hinduism. This belief
created a sense of grievance that a sacred temple
had been destroyed to make way for the mosque.
In the colonial period, the dispute became more
visible. In 1853, the first recorded communal clashes
over the site occurred. Later, in 1859, the British
administration introduced a physical division of the
site by building a fence — Muslims were allowed to
offer prayers inside the mosque, while Hindus
worshipped in the outer courtyard. This arrangement
continued for decades.
The dispute escalated in 1949, when idols of Lord
Rama were placed inside the Babri Masjid overnight.
This led to the site being locked by the government,
as both Hindu and Muslim communities claimed
ownership. The legal and political battle over the site
began soon after.
By the late 20th century, organizations such as the
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and political groups
like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took up the
cause of constructing a Ram temple at the disputed
site. This gave rise to the Ayodhya Movement,
which not only intensified communal tensions but
also reshaped the political discourse of India.
REASONS BEHIND THE
AYODHYA MOVEMENT
Reasons Behind the Ayodhya Movement
The Ayodhya Movement did not emerge suddenly; it
was the result of historical, religious, social, and
political factors that developed over centuries. The
main reasons behind the movement are:
1.Religious Belief and Faith
○A large section of Hindus firmly believed that
the Babri Masjid was built after demolishing
a temple marking the birthplace of Lord
Rama.
○For them, Ayodhya was not just a
geographical site but a sacred place tied to
deep religious faith.
2.Historical Grievances
○The memory of temples being destroyed or
converted into mosques during the medieval
○period created long-lasting resentment.
○The Babri Masjid became a powerful symbol
of these historical grievances.
3.Colonial Legacy
○The British administration’s decision in 1859
to divide the site between Hindus and
Muslims indirectly deepened the divide,
turning the site into a contested ground.
○Communal tensions during the colonial era
further intensified religious identities.
4.Political Mobilization
○In the late 1980s, organizations like the
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and political
parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) took up the issue as part of their
political agenda.
○The call to build a Ram temple became a
rallying point for mass mobilization and
electoral success.
5.Symbol of Hindutva Ideology
○The movement became central to the idea
of Hindutva, which aimed at redefining
India’s identity in terms of Hindu culture and
traditions.
○Leaders portrayed the Ayodhya issue as a
matter of Hindu pride and cultural revival.
6.Failure of Legal and Political Settlement
○The courts and governments failed to
resolve the dispute effectively over decades.
○This created frustration and allowed the
movement to gain mass support.
The Events of 6th December 1992
On 6th December 1992, a massive gathering of
Hindu activists, known as kar sevaks, assembled in
Ayodhya near the disputed site. The rally was
organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)
and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP). Senior political leaders addressed the crowd,
demanding the construction of a Ram temple at the
birthplace of Lord Rama.
Although the leaders had given assurances to the
Supreme Court and the central government that the
mosque would not be harmed, the crowd soon
turned violent. By afternoon, thousands of kar
sevaks stormed the Babri Masjid and began
demolishing it with hammers, rods, and their bare
hands. Within hours, the 16th-century structure was
completely destroyed.
The demolition was broadcast live on television,
shocking the entire nation and the world.
Immediate Consequences
1.
Communal Riots
○The demolition sparked one of the worst
outbreaks of communal violence in
independent India.
○Riots broke out in many cities, including
Mumbai and Delhi, leading to the death of
thousands of people.
2.Political Fallout
○The central government, led by Prime
Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, dismissed the
BJP-led state governments in several states.
○The BJP emerged as a stronger political
force, gaining support from those who saw
the demolition as a cultural victory.
3.Judicial and Legal Actions
○Several cases were filed in court against the
leaders who were accused of inciting the
4.mob.
5.The Supreme Court became directly involved in
resolving the dispute over the land.
Long-Term Impact
1.Rise of Hindutva Politics
○The demolition marked a turning point in
Indian politics, giving Hindutva ideology
mainstream acceptance.
○The BJP expanded rapidly as a national
party after this event.
2.Communal Polarization
○The event deepened the divide between
Hindus and Muslims in India.
Issues of secularism and religious identity
became central in Indian politics.
○Legal Dispute
i. The land dispute continued in courts for
decades after the demolition.
ii.Finally, in 2019, the Supreme Court of
India delivered a landmark judgment,
awarding the disputed land for the
construction of a Ram temple while
providing an alternate land to the
Muslim community for building a
mosque.
Aftermath and Significance of the Ayodhya Movement
The demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6th December 1992 left a deep impact on India’s social,
political, and legal framework.
1. Communal Tensions
○ The country witnessed widespread communal riots, creating mistrust and fear
between Hindus and Muslims.
2. Political Transformation
○ The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose as a major political force, using the
Ayodhya issue as a central part of its political agenda.
3. Judicial Proceedings
○ The dispute over the land continued in courts for nearly three decades.
○ Finally, in November 2019, the Supreme Court of India delivered its verdict:
■ The disputed land was handed over for the construction of a Ram temple.
■ Muslims were allotted an alternate five-acre land in Ayodhya to build a
mosque.
4. Historical Significance
○ The Ayodhya Movement became a turning point in modern Indian history.
○ It changed the nature of Indian politics, intensified debates on secularism, and
redefined the role of religion in public life.
Conclusion
The Ayodhya Movement and the demolition of the Babri Masjid represent one of the most
sensitive and defining moments in India’s contemporary history. What began as a religious
dispute over faith and belief gradually transformed into a political and social movement that
changed the course of Indian politics.
The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 not only caused widespread communal violence but
also highlighted the challenges of balancing faith, secularism, and law in a diverse country like
India. The long legal battle that followed reflected the complexity of the issue. Finally, the
Supreme Court’s judgment in 2019 sought to resolve the conflict by paving the way for the
construction of a Ram temple while also ensuring space for a mosque.
The movement remains significant as it underlines the powerful role of religion in Indian society,
the influence of politics in shaping people’s identities, and the importance of maintaining
communal harmony in a secular democracy.
