In recent years, claims from Hindu nationalist groups have reignited old religious wounds in India. A familiar pattern has emerged: assertions that mosques were once temples, followed by legal battles and “archaeological discoveries” that favor only one side. While most think of the Babri Masjid case, this pattern is now being repeated with Gyanvapi Mosque and others across India. But Babri Masjid remains the most symbolic and politically significant episode in this long-running saga.
This is not just another documentary. It’s the most comprehensive, evidence-backed, and in-depth visual account of the Babri Masjid—covering not only its past but warning of what lies ahead for the future of India’s religious harmony.
The Origins of Babri Masjid
The Babri Masjid was built in 1528 by Mir Baqi, a general of the first Mughal Emperor, Babur. It stood in Ayodhya—a city of mythological significance in Hinduism—for over 300 years without any notable communal dispute. It was only in the late 19th century, under British rule, that tensions began to rise.
Historically, the region of Awadh (which includes Ayodhya) was a quiet, sparsely populated spiritual zone. Notably, even Hanuman Garhi Temple—a prominent Hindu structure—was built on land donated by Nawabs of Awadh, showing a long-standing coexistence between communities. Ironically, many of the temples and religious establishments in Ayodhya were directly supported by Muslim rulers.
Communal Sparks in 1885 and the Rise of Hindu Claims
The first serious conflict over Babri Masjid emerged in 1885, when Hindu monk Raghubir Das claimed to have seen Lord Ram in a dream and demanded permission to worship at the mosque site. The British rejected the request but allowed worship outside the structure, leading to the creation of the “Ram Chabutra”.
Simultaneously, other Hindu leaders like Shah Ghulam Hussain accused Hanuman Garhi’s priests of building their temple over a mosque. His attempt to reclaim the site was crushed violently, but the pattern of myth-based claims and mob backing had begun.
1949: The Idols that Changed Everything
In December 1949, idols of Ram suddenly appeared inside the Babri Masjid. Hindu nationalists claimed divine intervention. But later, key conspirators—including Abhay Ram Das—admitted to placing the idols inside the mosque as part of a premeditated plan.
Despite Muslim protests, the court ruled that both communities could pray there. Muslims, bound by religious law, could not pray in a space where idols stood—effectively losing access to their own mosque. The state not only failed to remove the idols, but turned a blind eye to the growing encroachment.
TV, Propaganda, and Political Exploitation
The 1980s saw television shows like Ramayan and state-backed religious messaging reinforce Hindu nationalist narratives. The ruling Congress remained largely indifferent, while the BJP saw an opportunity.
In 1990, L.K. Advani launched his infamous “Ram Rath Yatra” from Somnath to Ayodhya. It wasn’t a spiritual journey—it was a political movement powered by hate, religious extremism, and propaganda. Each village visited during the Yatra witnessed rising tensions, and sometimes outright violence. Advani’s goal was clear: transform a fringe political group into a national force.
Ironically, the man managing this campaign logistics was Narendra Modi, then a rising figure in the BJP.
December 6, 1992: The Demolition
Despite government promises, the Babri Masjid was demolished in broad daylight on December 6, 1992, by a crowd of kar sevaks fueled by months of incitement. According to eyewitnesses and journalists like Praveen Jain, a full “dress rehearsal” for the demolition had taken place the day before.
The operation was highly organized. Three separate groups played roles:
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RSS & Bajrang Dal: Foot soldiers and mob muscle
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VHP: Religious legitimacy
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BJP: Political orchestration and protection
Security forces were told not to intervene. Even the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh claimed ignorance, though logistics and tools were clearly prepared in advance.
Aftermath: Riots, Bloodshed, and Political Gains
The destruction triggered nationwide riots. Over 2,000 people—mostly Muslims—were killed in the ensuing violence. International condemnation followed, but the BJP had achieved what it wanted: political legitimacy.
The party, once with just 2 seats in Parliament, surged into mainstream power using a narrative built not on governance or development, but on communal polarization and historical revisionism.
The Judiciary and the Final Verdict
The final blow came in 2019, when the Indian Supreme Court handed over the Babri Masjid site to Hindus for the construction of a Ram temple, citing “faith over fact.” Muslims were given alternative land elsewhere—an offer seen as symbolic rather than just.
In 2024, the grand Ram Mandir was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself in a carefully choreographed media spectacle. Religious leaders and secular voices alike questioned the event’s overt politicization. Many asked: If peace was the goal, why not build a hospital, a school, or a symbol of unity instead of division?
A Dangerous Pattern Repeats
Today, similar narratives are being spun about Gyanvapi Mosque, Shahi Idgah, and others. The same formula is applied:
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Claim a temple existed beneath
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Push ASI investigations
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Use media and cinema to create emotional pressure
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Fuel courts and crowds with religious sentiment
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Demolish and replace
What started in Ayodhya was never just about one mosque. It was a blueprint.
Conclusion: Was This Ever About Faith?
If this was about devotion, the site would have been a place of peace. If this was about justice, both communities would have been treated equally. Instead, it became a political battlefield.
As poet Muhammad Iqbal once said,
“Mosques may be built and destroyed, but true prayer lives within.”
The Babri Masjid was more than just a structure. Its fall represents the collapse of secularism, the rise of mob politics, and the triumph of propaganda over history.
This documentary tells the full story—one that mainstream media never dares to cover in its entirety.
