The 1992 demolition was preceded by a series of rath yatras by LK Advani of the BJP.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh:
The demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 was not planned, a judge in Uttar Pradesh said today, who acquitted all 32 defendants, including BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, of the conspiracy charges in landmark verdict. “The defendants tried to stop the demolition,” said IWC special judge SK Yadav. The judge also said that the Hindu activists who demolished the 16th century mosque were “antisocial elements.”
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LK Advani, 92, MM Joshi, 87, and Uma Bharti, 61, were not present in court and watched via video link when the verdict was announced. All had been charged with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity and inciting activists with inflammatory speeches from a podium next to the site.
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“Anti-social elements tore down the structure. The accused leaders tried to arrest these people,” said the special judge, whose term had been extended by this verdict. The judge also said that the audio and video evidence that the IWC presented to the court did not prove any conspiracy. “The audio of the speeches was not clear either,” he said.
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The demolition of the mosque was preceded by a series of Rath Yatras by LK Advani, whose Ram temple campaign catapulted the BJP into the national spotlight. Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh, who are among the 32 surviving defendants, were reportedly present on stage near the mosque where politicians, religious leaders and temple activists had delivered speeches. Investigating agencies said they instigated the crowd with their speeches.
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Kalyan Singh was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time of the demolition. His government was removed from office when riots broke out across the country, leaving around 3,000 dead. Former Union Minister Uma Bharti, who is admitted to a hospital in Uttarakhand after contracting COVID-19, had stated that she would not seek bail if found guilty and would accept any punishment with pride.
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Mr. Advani recorded his statement before the CBI special court via video conference on July 24. 100 questions were asked. Both he and Joshi denied all the charges against them.
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Over the past 28 years, the case has undergone many changes. Two cases were closed in 1992, eventually reaching 49. The second case, FIR No. 198, had appointed Mr. Advani, Mr. Joshi and Uma Bharti for promoting religious enmity and causing unrest. Subsequently, the Supreme Court requested that the criminal conspiracy charges be reinstated.
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In 1993, the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation filed a single consolidated charge sheet against 48 individuals, including Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
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The 16th century mosque was razed by thousands of “Kar Sevaks” who believed it was built on the ruins of an ancient temple that marked the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The incident sparked unrest across the country, in which 3,000 people were killed, and forever changed the political landscape in India.
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In a landmark ruling in November, the Supreme Court handed over the site claimed by Hindus and Muslims for the construction of a Ram temple. The opening ceremony took place earlier this year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the main rituals.
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In an interview with NDTV in 2000, Mr. Advani had admitted that the demolition of the Babri mosque was a “terrible mistake”. He said: “Until today, frankly, I don’t know if it was the fury of the mob, a mob that got out of control or a small determined group that did not agree with the direction of the movement that thought this should be done, me.” I’m not clear in my mind. “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said that a section of Kar Sevaks got out of control.” What happened in Ayodhya was very regrettable. It shouldn’t have happened. We try to avoid it, but we can’t. Sorry, “he told NDTV.
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