Historians condemn build-up in Ayodhya

The recent war of words between eminent professional historians and Sangh Parivar outfits reached a new high on Tuesday, with the Indian History Congress (IHC) passing a resolution against the arrival of engraved stones in >Ayodhya , for a future Ram temple at the site where the Babri Masjid once stood.

This happened at the ongoing 76th session of the IHC at Malda in West Bengal.

“…The collection of stones at Ayodhya raises the suspicion of another breach of law. The Indian History Congress urges the Central and State governments to ensure that religious sentiments are not incited to play with monuments and break the law with impunity,” the resolution said.

Eminent historians like Irfan Habib, Aditya Mukherjee, Shireen Mousvi, and BP Sahu Indu Banga were present.

The resolution recalled that the IHC had said since 1984 that the Babri Masjid was “entitled to protection both as a medieval monument built in 1528 and as an example of Sharqi architecture.”

“However, it was allowed to be destroyed in 1992 — an act which provoked national condemnation,” the resolution said.

“That destruction was planned to enable the ground to be cleared to build a modern temple.”