BJP returns to Ayodhya

The BJP party is once again seeking to leverage the Ayodhya issue ahead of elections in India by promising to build a temple to Rama there if they gain a majority (Times of India story).  The Babri Mosque was destroyed at the site in 1992 by Hindu nationalists, in which the BJP played a central role, causing widespread communal violence in which over 2,000 people were killed. The Archaeological Survey of India became controversially involved and reported that a probable Hindu temple had been found a levels below those of the mosque, strengthening the nationalists’ position. If the BJP continues to revive this issue it may awaken old and bitter tensions within Indian archaeology.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/BJP_invokes_Ram_temple_issue_ahead_of_LS_polls/rssarticleshow/msid-4092070,curpg-1.cms

archaeology BJP hindutva india politics religionarchaeology BJP hindutva india politics religion Published: 2.8.09 / 12am
Tags: archaeology, BJP, hindutva, india, politics, religion