How the BJP, RSS mobilised kar sevaks

• How the BJP, RSS mobilised kar sevaks

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  • “The preparation was accomplished with phenomenal secrecy, was technically flawless with consistency and assured results...The theme was power. It attracted clusters of young men to support the hidden agenda. Leaders know how passions are aroused and how to prevent the same;
  • Kar sevaks gather near the Babri Masjid.
  • This, according to the report, happened slowly, since the 1980s, as a local issue was turned into a national one by a political party (the BJP) through LK Advani’s rath yatra, provocations, symbolic activities like the shila pujan, the Sankalp Divas, Hindu sammelans and “by challenging Muslim loyalty or patriotism through political rhetoric”.
  • The report notes that at first the mobilisation and, in fact, the entire movement for the construction of the Ram temple was carried out by the RSS, with the VHP, sants and sadhus as the local body. Later, the BJP, Bajrang Dal, others like the Shiv Sena and individuals joined in. Underlining the involvement of the “icons of the movement, like L K Advani”, the report concludes that minus the rath yatra and efforts by the BJP, “no substantial mobilisation would have taken place nor would any frenzy of hate towards the disputed structure have been built.”
  • • At the time of a popular festival of Sawan Jhula in July 1992, when Kalyan Singh was the CM of UP, the report talks of how the already present crowds of pilgrims were used to bolster the appearance of several supporters for the Ram temple...“under the garb of this congregation, kar seva, by way of demolition of various structures, construction of chabutra etc was carried out despite the stay order by courts directing the maintaining status quo...”
  • • “The UP government provided all amenities to the kar sevaks like food, stay, sanitation, medical facilities etc... the Home Secretary affirmed oral directions for the CM’s Principal Secretary to provide the facilities.”
  • • “Kar sevaks were provided introductory letters from their place of origin. They were issued I-cards on reaching Ayodhya when they used to report in the VHP office... arrangements (were made) for their food, stay etc.”