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This is an old photo of Babri Masjid, a mosque that stood for over 400 years in the Indian city of Ayodhya.
In 1992, it was destroyed in a riot instigated by the BJP, now India's ruling party.
Tonight, Hindu nationalists will celebrate that atrocity in Times Square. (1/8)
In 1992, it was destroyed in a riot instigated by the BJP, now India's ruling party.
Tonight, Hindu nationalists will celebrate that atrocity in Times Square. (1/8)
The BJP promotes the ideology of Hindutva, or Hindu supremacy. They want to transform India from a diverse, secular republic into a Hindu state & erase the legacy of an India where my Hindu grandfather recited Urdu poetry & my Muslim grandfather sang bhajans in Gujarati. (2/8)
For them, India's Muslim population isn't only an obstacle to their political goals, but anathema to their definition of India.
The BJP uses violence against entire communities - often Muslim, sometimes Christian - as a tool for mobilizing its base for political gain. (3/8)
The BJP uses violence against entire communities - often Muslim, sometimes Christian - as a tool for mobilizing its base for political gain. (3/8)
The destruction of Babri Masjid was one of the first examples of this tactic.
The city of Ayodhya, where Babri Masjid was located, has great religious significance for Hindus.
So the BJP targeted the mosque, amplifying claims it was the site of Lord Rama's birth. (4/8)
The city of Ayodhya, where Babri Masjid was located, has great religious significance for Hindus.
So the BJP targeted the mosque, amplifying claims it was the site of Lord Rama's birth. (4/8)
In 1992, BJP leaders held a rally by the mosque accusing Indian Muslims of destroying a Hindu temple that once stood at the site, demanding it be rebuilt.
Things quickly turned violent. Thousands of attendees overwhelmed police, stormed the masjid & dismantled it by hand. (5/8)
Things quickly turned violent. Thousands of attendees overwhelmed police, stormed the masjid & dismantled it by hand. (5/8)
The act triggered a wave of communal violence across India that killed over 2,000 people.
But it also emboldened Hindu nationalists in India, who remained committed to building a Hindu temple on the site as a symbol of their vision of India purged of its Muslim heritage. (6/8)
But it also emboldened Hindu nationalists in India, who remained committed to building a Hindu temple on the site as a symbol of their vision of India purged of its Muslim heritage. (6/8)
Nearly 30 years later, that vision is closer to reality than ever.
The BJP rules India. Construction of a Hindu temple on the Babri Masjid site is set to begin.
And tonight, PM @narendramodi will lay the first brick in a groundbreaking ceremony broadcast in Times Square. (7/8)
The BJP rules India. Construction of a Hindu temple on the Babri Masjid site is set to begin.
And tonight, PM @narendramodi will lay the first brick in a groundbreaking ceremony broadcast in Times Square. (7/8)
As an Indian Muslim whose family is witnessing the rising tide of fascism in India, I won't be silent.
As New Yorkers who are no strangers to the rise of right-wing nationalism at home, none of us should be silent.
Join us tonight to bear witness, stand up & fight back. (8/8)
As New Yorkers who are no strangers to the rise of right-wing nationalism at home, none of us should be silent.
Join us tonight to bear witness, stand up & fight back. (8/8)
