Observing the Babri Masjid Demolition as “Shaurya Diwas”: A Serious Criminal Act Rajasthan
Government’s order to celebrate 6 December as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ is a grave violation of constitutional values
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan strongly condemns the news published in today’s daily newspapers stating that the Government of Rajasthan has directed all government and private schools to celebrate 6 December as ‘Shaurya Diwas’.
It is noteworthy that on 6 December 1992, in Ayodhya, communal forces demolished the Babri Masjid, violating the orders of the Supreme Court of India. This incident triggered widespread communal violence across the country, leading to the deaths of thousands of innocent people. It inflicted a deep wound on the secular fabric of the Indian Constitution, shattering its very spirit.
Such an order is a blatant violation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Right to Education Act, 2009, the Indian Constitution, and even the Supreme Court’s judgement.
In M. Siddiq (D) Thr. Lrs. v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors. (2019) (Judgement dated 9 November 2019), the Supreme Court clearly states on page 913, paragraph 788, Part P1, XVII:
On 6th December 1992, the structure of the mosque was brought down and the mosque destroyed. The destruction of the mosque took place in breach of the order of this Court and must be accepted as an egregious violation of the rule of law. The destruction of the mosque was an egregious violation of the law.
Further, on page 922, paragraph 798, Part P2, the Court also states:
After the proceedings under Section 145 of CrPC 1898 were initiated and a receiver was appointed following the attachment of the inner courtyard, worship of the Hindu idols was permitted. During the pendency of the suits, the entire structure of the mosque was brought down in a calculated act of destroying a place of public worship. The Muslims have been wrongly deprived of a mosque which had been constructed well over 450 years ago.
When the Supreme Court itself has termed the demolition of the Babri Masjid a criminal act, it is evident that glorifying the day of its demolition is also a serious offence. The Rajasthan Government’s order to celebrate 6 December as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ in schools directly violates the Right to Education Act, 2009 (Section 29), which emphasises the promotion of constitutional values in education.
Additionally, the National Education Policy 2020 identifies “ethics, human and constitutional values” as fundamental principles of the education system and of all educational institutions. In such circumstances, celebrating 6 December as ‘Shaurya Diwas’—to glorify an illegal and unconstitutional act—is itself an unlawful and unconstitutional directive, which we strongly oppose.
The Rajasthan Government’s move to observe this dark day in Indian history as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ also clearly violates Articles 14 (Equality Before Law), 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Religion), 25 (Freedom of Religion), and 51A (Fundamental Duties: Promotion of Harmony) of the Constitution of India.
By directing schools to organise activities on the theme of the ‘background of Ram Temple construction’, the State is openly promoting a specific religious-cultural narrative, amounting to the propagation of communalism in educational spaces.
Such an order will negatively impact the tender minds of children, disrupt the purpose of promoting harmony in school education, and particularly foster a sense of alienation among students from minority communities.
We demand:
The Chief Minister must immediately intervene and revoke this order.
Action must be taken against officials responsible for issuing this unconstitutional directive.
The Government must apologise to the people of the state for this act of contempt towards constitutional values.
Activities and curriculum in school education should promote diversity, equality, and communal harmony.
PUCL, along with other educational and secular organisations, will continue to engage with teachers, students, parents, and stakeholders in the education sector to oppose such illegal and unconstitutional actions of the Rajasthan Government.
Bhanwar Meghwanshi, President, PUCL Rajasthan
Dr. Anant Bhatnagar, General Secretary, PUCL Rajasthan