Ayodhya, December 05: The 16th century-old Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992, by Hindu Karsewaks in Ayodhya. The VHP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  held a rally at the site involving 150,000 volunteers on the same day. After the rally turned violent, the Karsewaks breached the security and brought the mosque down. The demolition resulted in creating tensions between the Hindus and the Muslims. More than 1,000 people were killed in the riots triggered after the demolition. Around 60 people were held responsible for the demolition. Centre Raking Up Babri Masjid Issue an Election Gimmick: Congress.

Meanwhile, On the 26th anniversary of the Babri Masjid Demolition, The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) would observe Shaurya Diwas in Ayodhya. On this day, the VHP and various other Hindu organisations will organise a number of religious programmes. ‘Hawan’ will also be organised in the city. “Tributes will also be paid to the innocent karsewaks who faced bullets and lost their lives,” reported Times Now quoting VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma as saying.

The organisation is planning to hold another Dharma Sabha later in Delhi on December 9. The VHP workers will also organise ‘Dharma Sansad’ in Prayagraj on January 31 and February 1 to support the cause of construction of the temple. More than 5,000 seers are likely to visit the event. Similarly, pushing for the demand for Ram Temple, The Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday announced a ''Dharma Sabha'' in the temple town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra on December 24. Thackeray told reporters, “Through the Dharma Sabha, we want to wake up the Narendra Modi government from its Kumbhakaran-like slumber and take up the Ram temple construction immediately.”

As the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 are drawing closer, various pro-Hindu organisations are putting pressure on the government to build Ram Temple at the disputed site. The ideological parent of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh (RSS) is pressing for the demand of bringing an ordinance to construct the temple. Meanwhile, demanded the exact date for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Thackeray visited Ayodhya along with his 3,000 followers in November this year, to pressurise the BJP-led government. The VHP also organised a ‘Dharma Sabha’ on November 25 in in the city. However, Muslim organisations will observe 'Yaum-e-Gham' on December 6.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court adjourned the Ayodhya case till January 2019 and said it would then decide on the date of hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute matter. The top Court on October 29 was to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court's 2010 verdict by which the disputed land in Ayodhya was divided into three parts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2018 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).