Asaduddin Owaisi: On the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, Asaduddin Owaisi has tried to reignite hatred between the Hindus and Muslims of the country by asking Muslims not to forget the demolition. These comments by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President have reopened deep historical wounds while raising serious concerns about the fragile balance between political opportunism and religious identity.
This comes soon after TMC’s Humayun Kabir, a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, called for a new masjid structure as a symbol of progress and healing. Kabir was quickly stripped of his party membership by TMC.
Politics of Memory and Manipulation
The appeal by Asaduddin Owaisi to “remember” Babri Masjid demolition is indeed politically charged. In Indian politics, memory is never neutral. Whether it’s partition, Babri Masjid demolition, or the Gujarat riots, selective remembrance often fuels identity politics. Each time an election looms, old wounds that have healed greatly get reopened, and historical tragedies are weaponised for short-term, political gains.
For Asaduddin Owaisi, speaking of Babri Masjid demolition serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it strengthens his position as the one and only guardian of Muslim identity. Secondly, it simultaneously silences the voices of other Muslim leaders such as that of Kabir, who appear conciliatory or “system-friendly.” The conflict between these two ideologies of assertion versus accommodation mirrors the growing, larger debate within Indian Islam as of today.
Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992 by 70,000 to 150,000 karsewaks as it was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram.
A Dangerous Cycle Repeating Itself
The timing of remarks by Asaduddin Owaisi is also crucial. With elections approaching in multiple states soon, discussions around mosques, temples, and religious identity are resurfacing across the media. Social media amplified the divide in no time. Hashtags like “Neverforgetbabri”, “OwaisiPolitics”, and “BabriAgain” started trended within hours, reflecting how communal narratives travel faster than calls for unity and brotherhood. Within no time, AIMIM party supporters, influencers, BJP party cadre, and trolls converted the debate into digital warfare.
