Ayodhya: 6 december 1992

On 6 December 1992, kar sevaks attacked the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya and demolished the structure. The communal riots that followed ripped apart the secular fabric of the nation. Even today, the Ramjanmabhoomi - Babri Masjid dispute has not been resolved, and Ayodhya remains a hotbed of political intrigue and communal tension. Ayodhya: 6 December 1992 records Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's view of what really happened at Ayodhya, and why. Delving into the history of the Ayodhya dispute, Rao discloses how the issue of building a Ram mandir at Ayodhya has consistently been politicized for electoral benefit. Discussing Article 356 of the Constitution at length, he explains why it was inadvisable to place UP under President's Rule even though the mosque was under threat. Drawing on the Supreme Court order, parliamentary proceedings, eyewitness reports and his own political insights, he presents a comprehensive account of the machinations that led to the attack, and indicates who might have gained from it, and how.