76 SOCIAL SCIENTIST 9. Quoted in B.D. Graham, op.cit, p. 46. 9A. Interview, Frontline, 25 March 1994. 10. K.R. Malkani, The Politics of Ayodhya and Hindu-Muslim Relation, Preface, New Delhi, 1993. 11. K.N. Panikkar, Communalism in India—A Perspective for Intervention, New Delhi, 1991. 12. These unsubstantiated claims have been questioned and rejected by historians and archaeologists. For a recent discussion of archaeological evidence see D. Mandal, Ayodhya: Archaeology After Demolition, New Delhi, 1991. 13. K.S. Lal, 'Ramjanmabhumi—Some Issues', Organiser, October, 1989. 14. In projecting this idea the VHP shifted the terrain from faith to historical facts. In the memorandum submitted to the government the VHP produced a long list of documents to prove the destruction of the temple. It also came up very frequently with archaeological evidence unearthed by Karsevaks, D. Mandal, op.cit. 15. Times of India, 10 October, 1989. 16. Organiser, 8 October 1989. According to Ashok Singhal 82.9 million people have made their offering. Interview, Frontline, 25 March 1994. 17. National Herald, 5 October, 1989. 18. B.K. Kelkar, Trankly Speaking'. Organiser, 8 October 1989. 19. New Age, 8 October 1989. 20. Indian Express, 11 October, 1989. 21. Ibid. 22. Organiser, 8 Oct. 1989. History does not record any battle in Ayodhya between the Hindus and Muslims over the Babri Masjid and no lives were lost before the VHP came on the scene. The only armed conflict was in 1855 which was about the Hanumangarhi temple and not about Babri Masjid. For details see K.N. Panikkar, 'A Historical Overview' in S. Gopal (ed), op.dt, 23-33. 23. Indian Express, 2 November 1989. 24. Kuldeep Nayar in Tribune, 12 October 1989. 25. National Herald, 5 October, 1989. 26. Hindustan Times, 5 October, 1989. 27. Hindustan Times, 10 October and Times of India, 10 October 1989. 28. For details sec Tapan Basu et al, Khakhi Shorts and Saffron Flags, New Delhi, 1933, pp. 56-109. 29. Ibid., p. 60. 30. For the actual route of the Yatra see Appendix 1. 31. Times of India, 25 September and 14 October 1990. 32. Tribune, 8 October 1990. The temple of Somnath was plundered by Mahmud Gazni in 1025. The motive, however was more economic than religious, as temples at that time were depositories of large quantities of wealth, in cash, gold and jewellery. 33. K.R. Malkhani, op.dt, p. 12. 34. Tribune, 8 October 1990. 35. Organiser, 14 October 1990. 36. For an excellent study of this change in Rama's image see Anuradha Kapur, 'Diety to Crusader: The Changing Iconography of Ram' in Gyanendra Pandcy, (ed) Hindus and Others, New Delhi, 1993, pp. 74-107. 37. Telegraph, 14 October 1990. 38. Tribune, 8 October 1990. 39. Indian Express, 17 September 1990. 40. Telegraph, 14 October 1990. 41. Times of India, 11 October 1990. 42. Organiser, 14 October 1990. • 43. Telegraph, 14 October 1990.