The Rajasthan government has withdrawn its order to celebrate the demolition of the Babri Masjid as Shaurya Diwas on December 6, calling the earlier instructions “confusing” and “misleading.”
On November 30, a government letter directed all government offices and private schools to organise speeches, essays, drawings, and cultural programmes to mark the day as one of “bravery.” Schools were told to focus on themes such as the “glory of Indian temple culture,” the “Ram movement,” and the “tradition of bravery and sacrifice.” They were also asked to conduct patriotic songs, skits, exhibitions on the Ram Temple, and even yoga sessions and hymns dedicated to Lord Ram. Students were to take a pledge to protect the country’s unity and cultural values and remember the Ram Temple as a symbol of national pride.
Education Minister Madan Dilawar had strongly defended the plan. He told NDTV that the day should be celebrated as an act of courage. “We will not call it the demolition of the Babri. It was originally a Ram Temple that was destroyed 500 years ago by Babur. There has been a movement to rebuild the temple. Around 3 lakh people sacrificed for it, and many kar sevaks faced bullets. The Supreme Court has upheld that this was the birthplace of Ram. On December 6, 1992, kar sevaks broke down the disputed structure. It was an act of bravery and we will celebrate it as Shaurya Diwas,” he said.
But soon after, the government reversed its stance. It claimed that media reports were “baseless” and said the November 30 circular was issued by the Director of Secondary Education without proper clarity. “The event was withdrawn as the children have exams and for no other reason,” the Education Minister’s office later told NDTV.
Sources, however, say the real reason may be political. The BJP government is preparing for upcoming panchayat and municipal elections and did not want to be caught in an unnecessary controversy.
The Congress sharply criticised the sudden U-turn. Party spokesperson Pratap Singh Kachariyawas said, “The Education Department is making a mockery of its own minister and its own order. The Education Minister needs to answer what’s going on. They are known for taking U-turns and taking orders back as they get a scolding from their high command.”
