Hindu nationalists who were key government and opposition figures orchestrated the destruction of the historic Babri mosque in 1992, according to a 17-year Indian investigation. Former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a part of the "meticulously planned" destruction of the 16-century mosque, according to leaked excerpts from the investigation published by the Indian Express daily on Monday, November 23.
Also involved were L.K. Advani, the current hardline leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was then deputy premier, and former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi. Advani traveled across India in 1990 to draw support for his campaign to install a temple on the site of the Babri mosque in the town of Ayodhya in northern Uttar Pradesh state.
Mobs of Hindu militants tore down the 16-century mosque in 1992, claiming it stood on the birthplace of their god-king Rama. The demolition triggered some of the worst Hindu-Muslim violence since the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947, with more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, left dead. Liberhan Commission was set up 10 days after the demolition.
After 17 years and 48 extensions, it submitted its report on June 30 this year. The report indicted the entire top brass of the extremist Hindu nationalist movements; Sangh Parivar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), World Hindu Council (VHP) and Hindu extremist group called Army of Shiv (Shiv Sena). It also accuses the then state governor of not doing much to stop Hindu extremists from razing the mosque.
Meticulously planned
The 17-year investigation, which will be published shortly, refuted the government's claim that the demolition of the historic mosque was a spontaneous outburst. It concluded that the events resulting in the demolition were carefully planned and orchestrated.
The Commission cited diversion of funds to Faizabad and Ayodhya just before the Hindu extremists' mobilization as well as precise military-like arrangements made at the site. It also highlighted the mode of assault on the mosque as well as the easy availability of instruments and material.
The report said the removal of idols and cash boxes from under the domes and the eventual installation in the makeshift temple clearly show that demolition was carried out with painstaking preparation and planning. Hindu nationalist lawmakers caused uproar in parliament on Monday after the accusations surfaced in the local media.
Advani, a key suspect, accused the ruling Congress party of deliberately leaking the inquiry's conclusions. Congress party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused BJP leaders of clapping with joy as they watched Hindu rioters tear down the mosque "and then shedding crocodile tears about sadness." ISLAM-ONLINE |
