From Babri Masjid to Emergency: My Personal Memories of Journalist Mark Tully
January 26, 2026, marks a moment to reflect on the legacy of one of journalism's giants. To me, Mark Tully remains one of the finest journalists of our time—a man of extraordinary courage, unwavering integrity, and an unshakeable commitment to the values of the fourth estate, even when those values came at great personal risk. My memories with him span decades, from the dark days of the Emergency to the tumultuous events in Ayodhya.
A Fateful Day in Ayodhya: December 6, 1992
One moment seared into my memory is December 6, 1992, in Ayodhya. The temple town was a beehive of activity, with kar sevaks streaming in from all directions. At exactly 10 am, they began storming the Babri Masjid, and soon, they could be seen climbing the walls and perching themselves on the domes. At the time, Mark was the BBC's South Asia Chief and decided to move to Faizabad to file a report on what would become one of the most defining chapters in India's history.
Back then, the only way to connect with BBC headquarters in London was through the Central Telegraph Office in Faizabad. We reached there around noon, where Mark filed his first report. By 1 pm, as we were on our way back to Ayodhya, the first dome of the mosque had already fallen, and the other two were being brought down. Our journey was halted by crowds on the outskirts of the city, so we decided to follow the paramilitary forces—the RAF and CRPF—as they moved toward the town.
However, to our complete horror, the forces themselves were stopped at a railway crossing between Faizabad and Ayodhya. When all our efforts to reach Ayodhya were exhausted, a journalist friend, Vinod Shukla, then resident editor of Dainik Jagran, suggested a way out. Within half an hour, we managed to reach the Babri Masjid site, but by then, the mosque had been completely demolished.
A Narrow Escape from Danger
As soon as we got out of our car, a group of violent kar sevaks armed with tridents and lathis charged at us. Most were local residents and were furious to see Mark Tully with us. They knew he was a BBC journalist and deeply resented his coverage of Ayodhya. As the mob gathered to beat us, perhaps even kill us, one of the agitated kar sevaks suggested that killing us might disrupt the ongoing demolition, and that it made more sense to lock us up for the time being and deal with us later.
The five of us were locked in a room in a nearby building. Over the next two hours, a welter of emotions swept through us—fear, uncertainty, and a desperate hope for rescue. Eventually, the Mahant of Bada Sthan came to our aid. He gave his shawl to Mark so he could hide under it, and we were all instructed to tie bandanas with the words 'kar sevak' written on them. We were then put into a Uttar Pradesh Police truck and dropped off at Hotel Shan-e-Awadh around 8 pm, narrowly escaping a tragic fate.
Early Encounters: The Emergency Era
My first introduction to Mark Tully, however, was through his dispatches on the BBC's Hindi and Urdu services during the early days of the Emergency. I was a child then, and my father, the late Captain Abbas Ali, was jailed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and the Defence of India Rules for 19 long months. Mark was outspoken in his criticism of the oppressive press censorship imposed by the Indira Gandhi government and paid the price by being asked to leave the country.
As soon as the Emergency was lifted and the 1977 general elections were announced, he returned to report on the fall of Indira Gandhi's government and the formation of the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai. His commitment to truth and justice never wavered, even in the face of political pressure.
Covering Pivotal Moments Together
I met Mark in the early 1980s, and we soon became friends. He appointed me as a BBC stringer in Uttar Pradesh, and we covered many significant events together:
- The 1989 general elections
- The formation of V P Singh's National Front government
- The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi agitation
- The fall of V P Singh's government
- The formation of Chandra Shekhar's government in 1990
We were on the front lines through it all, witnessing history unfold firsthand. During Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple, he was again asked to leave Amritsar along with other foreign journalists, but he tag-teamed with Satish Jacob, who was on the ground, and continued his reporting from Delhi, showcasing his relentless dedication to journalism.
A Legacy of Courage and Integrity
Mark Tully's career is a testament to the power of fearless journalism. From his stand against the Emergency to his harrowing experiences in Ayodhya, he embodied the principles of the fourth estate. His work not only informed the public but also held power to account, often at great personal risk.
As we remember him today, his legacy serves as an inspiration for journalists everywhere. In an era of rapid news cycles and digital transformations, the values he upheld—courage, integrity, and commitment to truth—remain as relevant as ever. Mark Tully's contributions to Indian journalism are indelible, and his stories continue to resonate with those who believe in the power of a free press.
Qurban Ali is a senior tri-lingual journalist who worked for over 14 years with the BBC World Service.
