Defining moments

For a decade and a half now, December 6 has been a bleak and bitter day for many Indians. It marks the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the symbolic unleashing of a sapping, polarising politics in India. This year, the All India Babri Masjid Re-building Committee decided not to hold the usual demonstrations but, instead, announce solidarity with the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and demand action against the perpetrators. Speaking about the Babri Masjid decision being transferred to the Supreme Court, the AIBMRC president said, 8220;Whatever the decision the Supreme Court takes, it will be acceptable to the community as the community has full faith in Constitution, judiciary and law and order.8221;

After the trauma of the Mumbai terror attacks, when the national discourse could descend into rage and rhetoric, moments like this are an opportunity to take the country forward and affirm what is valuable. Certainly, this is not to defend any kind of mental curfew. Even perhaps especially in times like this, it would be counterproductive and damaging to disallow dissenting voices. Indian Muslims protesting against the Babri Masjid demolition year after year is also, after all, a sign of commitment to the country8217;s founding ideals.

But again, we are creatures of plural affiliations, and choose and discard our causes depending on context 8212; for aggrieved Muslims to react as Indians first in this hour of catastrophe is only fitting, but it is also a moving testament to the strength of our core values. We have been undeserving often enough 8212; the Babri Masjid demolition being one of those moments 8212; but if we can forge a new togetherness in this crisis, that would indeed mark a tectonic shift, despite all the damage that the terrorists sought to inflict. If the aftermath of grief can cause us to suspend the old grievances, and rally around what really matters 8212; the integrity of India and the safety of all its people 8212; that is no small solace.