Babri Demolition: 24 Years And Counting
Over two decades have passed since the demolition of Babri Masjid - the 'event' that forever changed the course and discourse of Indian politics. The demolition was followed by riots across the country with hundreds of people losing their lives in the communal frenzy. Recently the Supreme Court said that Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti should be tried for criminal conspiracy. Mr Advani, however, has time and again denied being responsible for bringing the mosque down. He even went to the extent of describing the day, when the mosque was brought down, as the 'saddest day' of his life. Is there a conspiracy to frame the BJP veteran or is he responsible for whipping up the mob frenzy? The build-up to the Ayodhya corresponded with a rise in political fortune of the BJP. But today political analysts feel that resuscitating the Mandir-Masjid issue won't give them the political dividend which once the political parties exploited. Is it possible to arrive at an amicable solution on the dispute without hurting the sentiments of any communities?
