The demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindu nationalist activists triggered intercommunal riots across India killing at least 2,000 people.
Key Facts
- Date of demolition
- 6 December 1992
- Rally participants
- 150,000 people
- Deaths from subsequent riots
- at least 2,000 people
- Persons found responsible
- 68 individuals
- Mosque construction century
- 16th century (Mughal era)
- Key organising bodies
- VHP and BJP
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Since the 1980s, the Vishva Hindu Parishad had campaigned to build a Hindu temple at the site of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, which some Hindus identified as the birthplace of Rama. The BJP served as its political voice, organising rallies including the Ram Rath Yatra led by L. K. Advani, steadily escalating communal tensions around the disputed site.
On 6 December 1992, the VHP and BJP organised a rally of approximately 150,000 people at the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya. The rally turned violent; the crowd overwhelmed security forces and demolished the 16th-century mosque. A subsequent official inquiry identified 68 people as responsible, including senior leaders of the BJP and VHP.
The demolition unleashed months of intercommunal rioting between Hindu and Muslim communities across India, resulting in at least 2,000 deaths. Retaliatory attacks on Hindus also occurred in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The event deepened communal divisions in South Asia and set the stage for prolonged legal and political disputes over the Ayodhya site.
Political Outcome
The Babri Masjid was demolished, triggering nationwide intercommunal riots with at least 2,000 deaths; 68 individuals including BJP and VHP leaders were found responsible by inquiry.