NEW DELHI: Most non-Hindus kept off functions organized by the Indian government to celebrate the anniversary of enforcement of the country’s Constitution to protest against onslaughts on the rights of minorities.
India celebrates the day with great fanfare. A massive military parade is organized every year in Delhi where foreign government representatives are invited to see the Indian army’s might At least one head of state is invited to join the participants here. This year it was British Prime Minister John Major.
Interestingly the parade this year lasted less than 90 minutes. It used to take more than three hours to pass the entire show. Observers said that the turn-out was Ieaner and the spectacle was marked by lack of enthusiasm.
Muslims protested against the demolition of Babri masjid by Hindu fundamentalists aided by the Indian state. Black flags sprouted atop the Jama Masjid here and in the surrounding buildings on a call issued by the All India Babni Masjid Action Committee. More than 4000 Muslim activists headed by Naib Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahemed Bukhari courted arrest demanding upholding of fundamental rights and the reconstruction of the Babri masjid at Ayodhya. The activists collected at Jama masjid and set out in a silent procession to the parliament speaker’s residence to give him a copy of the Indian Consultation but the marchers were stopped two kilometers away from the Delhi Gate. All the marchers were arrested as they were determined to reach the speaker’s residence.
Sixty five activists of the All India Muslim Masjid were arrested at Faizabad in U.P. trying to take out a march to Ayodhya to demand construction of the Babn Masjid at the old site. Senior vice-president Quereshi was among those arrested.
Responding to a call by pro-freedom militants, the people of Srinagar and other towns of Kashmir stayed indoors to observe boycott of the Indian Republic Day celebrations. The main parade was held at Bakshi stadium a midstught security. The adviser to the governor M.A.Bakshi took the salute. The militants fired two rockets shortly before the parade began. They also fought gun battles with Indian security forces at several places in the old Srinagar town. Reports of heavy firing by militants came from Pulwama, Biybehara and other places in the valley while black flags were hoisted in the border town of Trehgam.
Two Buddhist monks led a silent march of protestors at Delhi hours after the official parade ended on the Raj Path to express anguish over the demolition of Babri masjid. Prominent participants included former prime minister Chander Shekhar, former Indian ministers ..K.Gujaral and Mafti Mohammed Sayeed, former speaker Rabi Ray. Prof Rajni Kothari, Sharmila Tagore, B.G.Verghese, Nikhil Chakarverly, Danie! Latifi and Prof.Mushirul Hassan. Many of the participants had earlier sought permission to join the Republic Day parade to show Indian System’s “resilience” but the government officers refused such permission of them.
On a call by the United LiberaHon Front of Assam, the people of Assam boycotted the Republic Day functions. The boycott call was signed by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and general secretary Chotia who had been moan ating silence for long.
The police believe that militants are planning a big offensive. They might even kill Assam chief minister Hiteshwar Saikia, according to the police. In Manipur the Republic Day celebrations were boycotted by most schools and colleges, according to Indian news agencies. Tight security overshadowed the celebrations in Bombay suburbs where the new Maharashtra governor Alaxendra assured relief to the not hit.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 29, 1993
