Recent Developments in Indian Politics
Religion, secularism and democracy
Explain how the Ayodhya dispute was finally resolved through the courts.
After the Janata Party broke up, the former Jana Sangh members formed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980. At first it tried a broad platform; after 1986, it put more stress on Hindu nationalism and Hindutva.
Hindutva ('Hinduness') was popularised by V.D. Savarkar. In his idea, an Indian is one who sees India as both fatherland and holy land, and a strong, united national culture is the base of a strong nation.
Two events in 1986 brought religion to the centre of politics:
- Shah Bano: in 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that Shah Bano, a divorced Muslim woman, was entitled to maintenance from her former husband. Many Muslim leaders saw this as interference with their personal law. In 1986 the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, which nullified the ruling. The BJP called this 'appeasement' of minorities.
- Ayodhya: the locks of the disputed structure were opened (next point).
The Ayodhya dispute, step by step:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1528 | a mosque with three domes, the Babri Masjid, was built at the site; many Hindus believe it was the birthplace of Lord Ram |
| 1949 | idols were placed inside, and the structure was sealed |
| 1986 | a court ordered the locks opened; mobilisation grew on both sides |
| 6 December 1992 | the structure was demolished by kar sevaks, followed by riots in many places |
| 9 November 2019 | a five-judge Supreme Court bench, unanimously (5–0), gave the site for a Ram temple and directed that a separate site be given for a mosque |
So a dispute that had shaped politics for decades was finally ended by due process of law: through the courts, not the streets.
Practise this lesson
Questions that get harder as you improve, a Tutor that helps without giving the answer away, and progress you can see. Free for every learner.
No account, no email address. Opens the real product.