One would not normally associate a love story with the Babri Masjid demolition, but National Award-winning novelist Aabid Surti's latest offering does just that.
The author describes his novel In the Name of Rama as a love story set in the backdrop of the demolition.
"The book was inspired by the real story of a police constable who stood alone at the foot of the masjid against a swirling ocean of karsevaks," Surti said at the book release function in New Delhi on Monday.
Social activist Nafisa Ali released the book, published by nongovernmental organisation Anhad, in New Delhi.
The novel, a story of a Ram devotee who wanders from village to village, climaxes on the day of the demolition.
Describing the events of December 6, 1992 as "one of the biggest frauds perpetrated on the nation", Surti lamented the lack of books on the issue.
Social scientist Prof Kaal M Chenoy said the book was not just about the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, but also a comment on the Indian society.
"It works at various levels... on patriarchy, on criminalisation of politics and so on," he said.
Originally written in Gujarati in 2001, the novel has been translated into Marathi and Urdu. Malayalam and Bengali versions are also ready for release.
A street play based on the novel is in the offing and will be performed at various locations all over the country, Surti added.
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