President of India Droupadi Murmu has awarded Bharat Ratna to BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani, a release stated.
Advani, who has played a significant role in the growth of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India, was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, British India (now in Pakistan). Advani is widely recognized for his contributions to Indian politics, particularly for his role in shaping the BJP’s ideology and steering the party to prominence.
LK Advani began his political career as a volunteer in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later became associated with the Janata Party in the 1970s and later joined the BJP when it was formed in 1980. His leadership skills and organizational abilities became evident as he played a key role in the expansion and growth of the party.
One of Advani’s most notable contributions was his involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He led the Rath Yatra (chariot journey) in 1990, advocating for the construction of a Hindu temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The movement gained widespread support and played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of India.
Advani served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He has also held various ministerial positions throughout his political career, including Home Minister. Despite his significant contributions, Advani faced criticism for his role in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.
Over the years, Advani has been regarded as a stalwart of the BJP and a key figure in the party’s growth. However, his influence within the party diminished in the later years, and he withdrew from active politics. Lal Krishna Advani has had a lasting impact on Indian politics, leaving behind a complex legacy associated with both achievements and controversies.
Role in the 1992 Rath Yatra
Lal Krishna Advani’s role in the Rath Yatra of 1992 was a pivotal moment in Indian politics, particularly in the context of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The Rath Yatra, or chariot procession, was a political and religious campaign initiated by Advani to garner support for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The Rath Yatra, which commenced on September 25, 1990, from Somnath in Gujarat, aimed to travel across the country and culminate at Ayodhya. The journey covered thousands of kilometres and passed through several states, attracting massive crowds and fervent supporters along the way. Advani rode a specially designed chariot that became a symbol of the movement.
The campaign played a significant role in mobilizing support for the demand to build a Hindu temple at the site where the Babri Masjid stood. The Rath Yatra stirred emotions and religious sentiments among the masses, leading to heightened tensions and communal polarization.
The culmination of the Rath Yatra on December 6, 1992, marked a tragic turn of events. Despite assurances by leaders that the mosque would be protected, a large mob of kar sevaks (volunteers) tore down the Babri Masjid, resulting in its destruction. The incident led to widespread riots and communal violence across the country, causing immense political and social repercussions.
While Lal Krishna Advani maintained that the Rath Yatra was a peaceful and non-violent movement, the events that transpired in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, raised questions about the consequences of such mass mobilization campaigns. Advani faced criticism for the failure to prevent the demolition and was accused of contributing to the communal tensions that followed.
The Rath Yatra of 1992 and the subsequent demolition of the Babri Masjid had a profound impact on Indian politics, shaping the narrative around identity, religion, and nationalism. The events surrounding the Rath Yatra played a crucial role in the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement in Indian politics.