Manipal: The countdown has begun for the Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of the grand Ram temple at Ayodhya's Ramjanmabhoomi in Uttar Pradesh.
Many people lost their lives in the Ram janma bhoomi agitation that took place three decades ago. Family members of Karasevaks have expressed that the construction of the Ram temple would be a tribute to the those who died for it.
On October 30 and November 2, 1990, 16 people were killed in police firing in Ayodhya. This had brought the issue of the Ram temple back to the forefront.
Many members of the Karasevaks families who were killed in the firing hope to see the temple built soon.
Here is a summary of some of their responses:
"Thousands fought for the construction of the temple. I lost my brother and sister. I only know how hard it was for my mother and how hard she had worked. We did not receive any assistance. We have somehow managed to live our life"
- Seema Gupta, daughter of the deceased Karasevaka Vasudeva Gupta
"Politics apart, our only desire is to build the temple. We have worked very hard for this. My father's sacrifice would not be in vain."
- Subhash Pandey, deceased Karsevak Ramesh Pandey's son
Most prominent among those who died for the temple are the Kothari brothers. Ram Kothari and Sharad Kothari, 23 and 21 years old respectively when they died in police firing on November 2, 1990.
“I was anxious as to when I would get there… I was yearning to see my children. I wanted to embrace them. But the other Karsevaks told me that you can't see his corpse because he has been shot in his head and there is a big wound.”
- Daulal Kothari, grandfather of the deceased Kothari brothers
On 6 December 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished. This had caused widespread riots throughout the country, killing more than 2,000 people.
