Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Saturday urged all left parties to commemorate December 6 -- the day the Babri mosque in Ayodhya was demolished -- as "Defend the Constitution and Secularism Day".

"December 6 this year marks the 26th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid. In the current situation, it is essential to observe this day in the defence of secularism and democracy," the party said in a statement.

"The RSS-led outfits have begun a campaign to demand that the central government pass a legislation/ordinance to facilitate the building of the Ram temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, bypassing the Supreme Court," it added.

"This campaign is designed to subserve the communal agenda of the Sangh Brigade and nullify the provisions relating to secularism in the Indian Constitution. The Left parties are strongly opposed to this effort to subvert the judicial verdict on the Ayodhya dispute.

"The Sangh Brigade cannot be allowed to subvert the Constitutional provisions in the name of 'faith'," it said.

The Babri mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, was razed to the ground by Hindu activists in 1992. The Supreme Court, which is hearing the title suit, has posted the hearing in the matter for January next year.

-- IANS

vn/shs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)