NEW DELHI, Jan. 8 -- It is believed that one of Babur's Generals, Mir Baqi, built the Babri Masjid in 1528 at Ayodhya. The Masjid became a disputed site as the Hindus claimed it to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. In December 1949, after independence, some miscreants placed the idol of Ram inside the mosque. Nehru ordered the removal of the idol. The District Magistrate K.K. Nair refused to carry out the Order, claiming it would lead to communal riots. He was dismissed, and subsequently, he joined the Jana Sangh. And the gates of the mosque were locked to prevent the public entry. However, the idol remained inside, and the Hindus continued to perform prayers in the outer courtyard, thus converting the Masjid into a de facto temple.

In the ...