Lucknow/New Delhi, Dec 6 (ANI): Muslims of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh observed ”Black Day” on the 16th anniversary of the demolition of Babri mosque.

Some of the members from the community gathered at a local mosque to give vent to their anguish over the demolition, which happened in 1992.

The main dome of the mosque was mast with a black flag and the forecourt reverberated with the feelings of the speakers.

This pain (of the demolition of Babri Mosque) still hurts us and it will keep on hurting us forever. We will continue to express our grief as long as this case is not settled by the court, said Mohammad Hamid Ansari, petitioner in Babri Mosque demolition case.

On the other hand former ideologue of the Bharatiya Janata Party Govindacharya urged the people across all the communities for retrospection to learn from the mistakes.

Some (Muslims) term December 6th as Black Day and some other hail it as Victory Day but in my opinion this day is neither of it, Govindacharya told reporters in New Delhi today.

Meanwhile, noted journalist M.J. Akbar said that rouges are present in every society and judging any community on their misdeeds would be wrong.

They don”t have to prove anything. Those within other communities, I am afraid, who sometimes make accusations do not realize what an asset they are loosing through this accusation. Yes, there are, you know, some black sheep or there are some goons in every community, I don”t deny it, how can I deny it, there is evidence before us but for the sins of the few do not blame the whole community, said Akbar.

According to Hindu belief Ayodhya is the birth place of Lord Ram.

Hindu zealots demolished the 16th century Babri Mosque on December 6, 1992, leading to riots in which more than 3,000 people were killed across the country.

The Muslim community observes the day as “Black Day” while fundamentalist Hindus celebrate it as a “Victory Day”.

Hindus say Mughal emperor Babar built the mosque after destroying a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram. Muslims dispute this claim and want the Babri mosque rebuilt.

The dispute has dragged on for years in courts, which have banned any construction on the land until the issue is settled.

India’’s over one billion people are about 82 per cent Hindu, while Muslims make up about 13 per cent of the population. (ANI)