Rajasthan Government Withdraws Order to Celebrate Babri Demolition as Shaurya Diwas

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government initially planned to commemorate the Babri Masjid demolition as "Shaurya Diwas" (Bravery Day) on December 6, but subsequently reversed this decision, describing the original directive as "confusing."

On October 22, the state administration had issued instructions requiring all government offices and private educational institutions to organize speeches and essay competitions celebrating "Babri Demolition Day" as Shaurya Diwas.

The recommended topics for these activities included "Indian temple culture and the Ram movement," "the tradition of bravery and sacrifice," "youth's role in nation building," along with artistic competitions focused on themes such as the "Ram Temple in Ayodhya."

According to a circular from Sita Ram Jat, Director of Secondary Education in Bikaner, government and private schools were instructed to arrange patriotic songs, theatrical performances, and exhibitions highlighting the Ram Temple construction.

The directive also mandated students to take an oath to uphold national unity and cultural values, while recognizing the Ayodhya Ram Temple as a symbol of cultural renaissance and restored national pride.

Activities involving Ram hymns and bhajans, along with wellness practices like sun salutation and yoga sessions, were also part of the planned observance.

Education Minister Madan Dilawar told NDTV, "We will not refer to it as the Babri demolition. It was originally a Ram Temple destroyed 500 years ago by Babur. A movement to rebuild it involved sacrifices from approximately 300,000 people, including kar sevaks who faced gunfire. The Supreme Court confirmed this as Ram's birthplace and approved temple construction. On December 6, 1992, kar sevaks dismantled the disputed structure—an act of courage we intended to celebrate as Shaurya Diwas."

However, the government's position subsequently shifted dramatically, with officials dismissing media reports about Shaurya Diwas as unfounded and disavowing the Secondary Education Director's order as "baseless and misleading."

The Education Minister's office explained to NDTV that "the event was cancelled due to student examinations and no other reason."

Sources suggest that the Shaurya Diwas celebration was withdrawn because the BJP preferred to avoid controversy ahead of upcoming panchayat and municipal elections.

The Congress party promptly criticized the Bhajan Lal government's reversal. Congress spokesperson Pratap Singh Kachariyawas stated, "The Education Department is undermining both its minister and its own directive. The Education Minister must explain what's happening—they're known for reversals and rescinding orders after being reprimanded by their leadership."