Religious leaders downplay Babri demolition anniversary

Both Muslim and Hindi religious leaders are talking about downplaying the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri mosque, now that the Supreme Court has pronounced its verdict on the Ayodhya dispute.

While the police are taking no chances an official said the security arrangement in the temple town are similar to those ahead of the SC judgment day religious organisations have assured that the December 6 anniversary will be low key.

While right-wing Hindu organisations earlier "celebrated" the day when a mob pulled down the structure on the disputed site, some Muslim groups mourned it.

This time, although the AIMPLB said "a day of sorrow" would be observed, it added that "it is up to the individuals".

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has too decided against observing the 27th anniversary of the demolition as "Shaurya Diwas".

"Yaum-e-gham (day of sorrow) will be observed, wherever it was observed last year. And, it is up to individuals to observe it or not," senior AIMPLB office-bearer Zafaryab Jilani said.

VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma said, "There will be no public function. People may light earthen lamps in various temples. Seers are also of the view that truth has triumphed so there is no relevance of the celebrations."
Recalling developments on November 8, a day before the apex court gave its verdict, Shafique Alam said, "There are around 40-50 Muslim families in this area, of which 30 had sent their womenfolk to other places. Some financially well-off people too shifted ahead of the Supreme Court judgment."