Muslims mark Babri demolition

MUMBAI: A section of Muslim clerics and peace activists marked the 18th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on Monday with special azaan and protest meetings.
While members of Raza Academy, a Sunni Muslim group, reiterated the demand for rebuilding the mosque at its site, activists of Quami Majlis-e-Shoora said the September 30 verdict of the Allahabad high court had left Muslims with almost no option but to approach the Supreme Court.
The city's Muslim pockets of Madanpura and Mohammed Ali saw some Muslims giving azaan in memory of the demolished Babri Masjid, a symbolic mourning of the breach of law and order on December 6, 1992 in Ayodhya. "We believe the mosque was built by not demolishing any temple. It was a mosque, and we will democratically fight for its restoration," said Saeed Noorie, Raza Academy's general secretary.
At Marathi Patrakar Sangh near CST, activists of Quami Majlis-e-Shoora discussed various aspects of the Babri Mosque-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute, including implications of the September 30 verdict.
"The Allahabad HC's verdict is based on faith, not concrete evidence. The judges ignored the planting of idols inside the mosque in 1949 and demolition of the structure on December 6, 1992. If this judgment is not challenged, it will set a dangerous precedent," said peace activist Ram Puniyani while addressing the gathering at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh.
All-India Ulema Association president Maulana Athar Ali felt that law-abiding, secular citizens would not forget the assault on secularism on December 6, 1992, and the tragic riots in its aftermath.
"Anyone who believes in secularism and syncretism would not condone the brazen breach of law as the frenzied mob in Ayodhya did on December 6, 1992. If we forget it, it will be akin to accepting the denouement," said Maulana Athar. He further added that a majority of clerics had backed the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's decision to challenge the Allahabad HC verdict in the apex court.
Several activists felt that a campaign to create awareness about the Babri issue was needed as the new generation was losing interest in it.
The poor turnout at the meet at Marathi Patrakar Sangh is being seen as a proof of this.