Two significant occurrences around 1986 assumed central importance within the BJP's political landscape as it transitioned into a 'Hindutva' party. The first pivotal event was the Shah Bano case of 1985. In this case, a 62-year-old divorced Muslim woman filed a maintenance claim against her former husband. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor. This judgment was perceived as an intrusion into Muslim Personal Law by orthodox Muslims. Following the demand of certain Muslim leaders, the government introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which effectively nullified the Supreme Court's verdict.
The second significant event unfolded with a ruling issued by the Faizabad district court in February of 1986. This verdict declared that the premises of the Babri Masjid should be unsealed, allowing Hindus to conduct prayers at a location they regarded as a temple. An enduring dispute had persisted for numerous decades, revolving around a structure called the Babri Masjid situated in Ayodhya. Constructed in the 16th century by Mir Baqi, a general under Mughal emperor Babur, the Babri Masjid was at the heart of the contention. Some Hindu adherents maintained that it was erected atop the remains of a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, believed to be his birthplace.

What was the purpose of the Rathyatra conducted by the BJP arising from the Babri Masjid dispute?

To generate public support for the Babri Masjid issue.

BJP's Rathyatra aimed to generate public support for the Babri Masjid issue.

Upon the opening of the Babri Masjid's locks, an upsurge in mobilization commenced on both sides of the divide. Multiple Hindu and Muslim organizations endeavored to rally their respective communities around this issue. Surprisingly, what initially appeared to be a local dispute quickly escalated into a matter of national significance, stoking communal tensions. The BJP seized upon this matter, making it a central theme in its electoral and political endeavors. Collaborating with entities such as the RSS and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the BJP orchestrated a series of symbolic and mobilization-driven initiatives. This widespread mobilization fueled a charged atmosphere and gave rise to numerous instances of communal violence. In a bid to garner public backing, the BJP embarked on a large-scale march named the Rathyatra, commencing from Somnath in Gujarat and culminating in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.