With the ongoing development works going on in Ayodhya in full steam, there are contrasting views of whether Shaurya Diwas or Shahidi Diwas — the three-decade-old tradition of observing the anniversary of 16th century Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992 –- should be celebrated this time.
It has been 31 years since the Babri Masjid incident, and today, people of both Hindu and Muslim communities in Ayodhya want to move beyond the bitter past and refrain themselves from observing any event.
“Muslims used to observe the demolition of the Babri mosque as Yaum-e-Gham (day of sorrow) or ‘Shahidi Diwas’ while people from the Hindu community used to observe it as ‘Shaurya Diwas’,” said Iqbal Ansari, one of the former litigants in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit. “I think it’s time to move on. There is no point in observing any day, especially when the apex court has given its verdict in the favour of the Ram temple. Ayodhya has been witnessing massive development under the regime of Yogi Adityanath,” Ansari added.
On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of Ram Lalla Virajman, paving the way for the construction of Ram temple. A five-judge bench led by former chief justice Ranjan Gogoi had also directed the allocation of five-acre land to the Sunni Central Waqf Board (SCWB) in Ayodhya to compensate them for the wrongs committed including the demolition of the mosque.
People, who have been hailing the ongoing development work in Ayodhya, said one should celebrate the transformation of the city and not observe the day, which reminds them of the dark past. “We are born and brought up in Ayodhya. I think now we have a reason to rejoice. Ayodhya is at the centre-stage and has been witnessing the massive development work, which is set to change it forever,” said Mohammed Shoeb, a college goer who hails from Ayodhya.
Another college student, Payal Shukla, stressed that observing black day or Shaurya Diwas has not “given us anything” in the last 30 years. “Now, with the development works in Ayodhya, people should look forward to their bright future instead of remembering the grim past”.
Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) too has appealed to the people to not observe the Shaurya Diwas. “Ayodhya is set to witness a historical day when Ram temple would be made open for the public. It’s time to move on and rejoice in the homecoming of Lord Ram,” said Sharad Sharma, VHP convener, Ayodhya.
Ayodhya is set to witness the ‘Pran Patishtha’ ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol at Ram temple on January 22, 2024.
From the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport to rejuvenation of Ayodhya junction, paths to unclog the temple city and beautification of ancient ponds, the Uttar Pradesh government is leaving no stone unturned to revamp the pilgrim city.
At present, there are around 200 ongoing developmental projects worth Rs 30,923 crore in Ayodhya, which will transform the entire city. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his recent address called it a biggest transformation and said the massive ongoing development work would not only give tourism a boost but would also generate massive employment opportunities.
The UP Police has sounded a high alert in Ayodhya, Mathura and other religious cities in UP. Shailendra Singh, Circle Officer, Ayodhya, said Cantt Police carried out a foot march in Saadatganj and Nayaghat area, whereas checkpoints have been established at various points and drives are being carried out extensively in all Dharamshalas, hotels and resorts in the wake of Babri mosque demolition anniversary.
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