Iconic Monkey Image From 1990 Ram Mandir Movement Resurfaces | Ayodhya's Stirring Past

A day etched in India's memory, an iconic photo from the historic day of the Ram Mandir movement, on October 30, 1990, has resurfaced in our collective consciousness.

As the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony for the consecration of Lord Ram's idol takes place in Ayodhya today, the nation reflects on this momentous event."

The Legendary Monkey Image That Defined the Ram Mandir Movement

On October 30, 1990, approximately 28,000 personnel of the Uttar Pradesh Armed Constabulary were deployed in Ayodhya to counteract the Ram Mandir 'Kar seva' organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The security arrangements were so extensive that then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav proudly declared, "Ayodhya mein parinda bhi par nahi maar sakta" (Even a bird cannot fly in Ayodhya). The entire route to the Babri Masjid was barricaded, guarded by a multitude of armed personnel in khaki uniforms.

Amidst the clashes between the karsevaks and the security forces, a remarkable incident unfolded. A sadhu, proficient in bus driving, took control of a police bus used to detain some karsevaks. Describing it as a "watershed moment," Swami Vigyananand, Joint General Secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad, recounts, "The sadhu plowed through the barricades, clearing the way for hundreds of karsevaks."

As the karsevaks advanced towards the disputed Babri Masjid, confronting security personnel, some managed to ascend the dome of the contested structure and plant 'Bhagwa Dhwaj' (saffron flags), marking a symbolic gesture. In response, security personnel resorted to lathi-charging and firing upon the karsevaks, compelling them to retreat by evening.

Despite officials' attempts to remove the saffron flags from the domes, a unique situation arose. A monkey had positioned itself on the middle dome of the mosque, perceived by the police as an incarnation of Lord Hanuman safeguarding the flag. Reluctant to disturb the monkey, the security personnel refrained from taking any action.

The monkey remained near the flag for hours. Late at night, after the monkey vacated the dome, a group of jawans climbed atop and removed the flag. The iconic image of the monkey atop the dome, captured on November 1, 1990, was widely featured in several Hindi newspapers.

Although official records indicate 20 casualties in the police firing directed by Mulayam Singh Yadav on October 30 and November 2, eyewitness accounts suggest a significantly higher toll. An Ayodhya-based journalist, documenting the attack on karsevaks, notes that volunteers were allegedly fired upon even from a helicopter.