NEW DELHI, Dec 6: The Indian Muslims observed a black day on Saturday, marking the 11th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, hoisting black flags atop their shops and houses besides keeping their businesses closed.

The black day, news reports suggested, was observed amid tight security measures. The mosque was razed by a mob of Hindu zealots on Dec 6, 1992.

News reports from different parts of India stated that Muslims in the Tamil Nadu state staged demonstrations, demanding reconstruction of Babri Masjid. Around 450 activists of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham were arrested as they tried to stage a protest rally in Coimbatore.

Security was beefed up in Ayodhya and other sensitive areas, it was learnt.

Speaking at a seminar, convenor of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board S.Q.R. Ilyas said: “We are waiting for the court’s verdict and will abide by whatever decision it takes.”

General Secretary of the Communist Party of India Atal Anjan said the party did not believe in dialogue as “some people, who do not believe in talks, are trying to stall them ... Only a court verdict can provide a solution.”

Historian Suraj Bhan said that most of the evidence reported during the recent excavations did not support conjectures about the presence of any temple beneath the demolished mosque structure, adding that instead of trying to make a prima facie case out of the excavations, the people should abide by a judicial verdict.—APP