2.1.2 Post-Independence Bharat:
Partition and Communal Tensions: The partition of Bharat in 1947 was accompanied by massive communal violence, leading to a heightened sensitivity towards religious sites. The new Bhartiya state, aiming to foster a secular, democratic republic, was wary of reigniting communal conflicts over religious sites.
Constitutional Framework: The Bhartiya Constitution, adopted in 1950, enshrined secularism, equality, and freedom of religion. However, the practical implementation of these principles in dealing with historical religious disputes remained challenging.
2.1.3 Lead-up to the Act:
Babri Masjid – Ram Janmabhoomi Dispute: This dispute over the site in Ayodhya, claimed by Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Rama and by Muslims as the location of the Babri Mosque, became a flashpoint for communal tensions since 1857, when first riots in Ayodhya for claiming said site were recorded by British governance.
Increasing Communal Clashes: The late 1980s and early 1990s saw an increase in communal clashes, fueled by radicalized terrorism from one side and demands for reclaiming or affirming the historical religious identity of various sites from the other. Hindus started movement of Kaar-Sewa for the Ram Janma Bhoomi situated at Ayodhya, which was peaceful, but radicalized mobs tried to terrorize the participants of the movement. Vishva Hindu Parishad was the pioneer of the said movement. Various programs were held under this protest in peaceful manner by following all the laws. Devotees of Lord Ram participated from all over Bharat, by breaking all the barriers of caste, creed, language and location.
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