Remembering Babri debacle

That the 21st anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition wasn’t marked with any particular episode of violence is a welcome news. The fact that 6 December came right in the middle of an election season, with poll results awaited in five states only two days later, there was indeed high chance of communal violence erupting in not just Ayodhya, but in  adjacent areas as well, as much as there was a distinct possibility of disruptions happening in the poll-bound states. It’s  a sign of some political maturity that such a case is not inevitable anymore, despite the near landscape of Indian politics being severely marred by a number of communally-motivated riots, particularly in Muzaffarnagar in western UP. Although the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had mulish enough termed 6 December as ‘Shaurya Divas’ (Bravery Day), that the assinine gesture did not merit a retaliation, except in a countermove by some Muslim organisations, branding the day as Yomegam Diwas (Day of Mourning), is commendable. Although, Hindu and Muslim religious organisations had opted to remain closed on the anniversary, it went by without much of a scruple, to everyone’s relief. That this happened at a time charged with communal politics of every shade, says something of the common sense and political maturity of the ordinary citizen. Wish such wisdom was also displayed by our national leaders.