Babri Masjid case: LK Advani has paid political price, but SC order could be blessing in disguise for BJP

[Kool_SRG]

The Supreme Court's directive to complete the trial against BJP leaders accused of conspiracy to demolish the Babri Masjid could mean many things to many people.

For those who believe in the laws of karma, it might signify the deserved denouement of Lal Krishna Advani's career. It can be easily argued that Advani's career was built on Babri Masjid, on the saugandh that a Ram Mandir would be built in its place and nowhere else. If Advani gets indicted for the demolition of the structure in Ayodhya, life would have come full circle for him.

There shouldn't be an iota of doubt that Advani was the architect of the movement that led to the demolition of the disputed mosque. His rath yatras led to mass hysteria for asserting the Hindutva identity during the late 80s and early 90s and mobilised thousands of youth for the sectarian movement.

It is for the courts to decide if Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Kalyan Singh and other BJP leaders accused in the case actually conspired to get the structure razed. But, none of them can escape the moral and political responsibility of their failure to control the monster they unleashed on India and in Ayodhya.

 

Advani has always denied that he was aware of plans to forcibly demolish the structure. He has claimed that the sight of lumpen kar sevaks pulling the structure down brick-by-brick brought tears to his eyes. Other versions, however, suggest that the BJP leaders on the spot had planned the demolition and were moved to tears of joy when their conspiracy came to fruition on 6 December, 1992.

In fact, Advani played up the kamandal card ruthlessly throughout the tumultuous period between 1989 and 1992 that saw him wading through a pool of blood for the sake of votes and then holding the Muslims responsible for all the bloodshed. Soon after the mosque was razed, on 30 January, 1993 Advani argued that if Muslims were to identify themselves with the concept of Hindutva there would not be any reason for riots to take place.

In many ways, Advani has already paid the political price for his Babri campaign. Even though he was single-handedly responsible for taking the BJP from two seats in 1984 to 117 in 1991, his ambition of becoming the prime minister.

Later, in a desperate effort to reinvent his persona, Advani even became a fan of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, becoming a caricature of his former self, ejecting himself out of the Hindutva legend. Since then, he has become a peripheral figure in his own party, outsmarted and ousted by the very people whose careers he shaped. Only Advani can tell us how it feels to let others reap the communal harvest he had sowed.

Ironically, for the BJP, the order could be a blessing in disguise. To the party it could mean an opportunity to keep the Hindutva pot boiling and serving the Ram Mandir issue hot in the 2019 elections. A speedy and almost day-to-day trial of the case would ensure that the issue the BJP and its affiliates have held close to their heart since Independence continues to dominate headlines. The trial is bound to get a lot of attention because of the involvement of the BJP's top brass. It could in the end turn out a PR heist for the Hindutva brigade.

In case Advani, Joshi and other alleged conspirators get indicted, the party would do everything to showcase them as martyrs to the Hindutva cause, a strategy that could, like the Ram Mandir movement, become a dominant theme of elections in a country where the majority is already looking to assert itself and has several grievances, both imagined and real, against the minorities.

And, if they are let off by the courts, the BJP could always claim the high moral ground, arguing how its leaders, like Sita, faced an agni pariksha and emerged clean.

Spare a thought for Advani then. Even in the dusk of his life, he could become the rath on which his party could ride to the next electoral victory. Just that, like in the 90s, he might not be the beneficiary of his final yatra, either to jail if he is indicted or to freedom if he is found not guilty.

Wouldn't that be adequate punishment for Advani's karma that led to the bloodshed every time he roared: Saugandh Ram ki khaate hain, mandir wahin banayenge?

 

[Kool_SRG]

LK Advani, 89, Back In Spotlight As Supreme Court Revives Babri Conspiracy Charge

 

NEW DELHI:  LK Advani, 89, will face trial for criminal conspiracy in the demolition of the 16th-century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, along with 12 others including Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti.

The Supreme Court ruling 25 years after the mosque razing comes at a time the BJP patriarch's name was swirling, along with that of others like Mr Joshi, for the presidential race.
 

 

Many commented on social media that the court verdict effectively places a lid on the presidential ambitions of Mr Advani. Elections for president are due by July, when Pranab Mukherjee's term ends. Earlier this month, Mr Advani ruled himself out of the presidential race in an interview to a TV channel.

In recent months, the BJP veteran appeared to have lagged behind other names like Sushma Swaraj, Draupadi Murmu and even Mr Joshi. In the BJP national executive meeting in Odisha last weekend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting Mr Joshi to join him at the dinner table was seen as a sign that he had scored over the others.

Some note that for Mr Advani, who was sidelined after the BJP's 2014 victory and assigned a mentorship role as part of the virtually defunct "Margdarshak Mandal" of the party, the Babri trial means that the spotlight is back on him.

 

In the 1990s, Mr Advani was the face of the movement to build a Ram temple at the site in Ayodhya where the 16th-century Babri mosque stood till it was pulled down by hundreds of right-wing activists or karsevaks on December 6, 1992. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) says that Mr Advani and other leaders like Mr Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar and Kalyan Singh made incendiary speeches from a dais close to the mosque, which motivated the volunteers to raze the structure.

Over the years, Mr Advani's moves indicated an attempt to shed his strident Hindutva image. Today's verdict, however, brings back into focus his 'mandir' rath yatra avatar.

The court has ordered that the case be completed in two years. That means a verdict in 2019, when national elections are due.

[Kool_SRG]

Babri Masjid case: Here's a timeline of one of the most controversial chapters in India's history

 

As of today, the Supreme Court has asked CBI to review the criminal conspiracy charges against Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and 10 others in connection with the case.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed CBI's appeal and reviewed criminal conspiracy charges against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and 10 others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The CBI had told the apex court that 14 persons, including the BJP leaders who were acquitted of charges under criminal conspiracy should be tried in Lucknow Court. However, the court has excluded Kalyan Singh. "Kalyan Singh enjoys Constitutional immunity as Rajasthan Governor and can be tried only after he ceases to hold office," the court said.

The top court ordered a joint trial of two separate cases against Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti and unknown 'karsevaks' in Lucknow. It also directed the Lucknow trial court to commence proceedings in four weeks and conduct trial in these cases on a day-to-day basis without granting adjournment.

But this case dates back to several decades. Below is a timeline chronicling one of the most contentious issues of India's history.

1528: Mir Baki, a noble under Mughal emperor Babur, builds a mosque, which Hindu hardliners claim was built on a temple marking the birthplace of Rama in Ayodhya.

1857: A Hindu Priest takes over part of the shrine compound and builds an altar for worship.

1859: The British build a wall to separate the places of worship within the compound.

1885: The dispute is dragged to court for the first time when Mahant Raghubar Das files a suit in a Faizabad court seeking permission to build a Ram temple adjoining the Babri mosque.

December 22, 1949: Idols of Ram Lalla are allegedly installed inside the Babri mosque at night by a group of Hindus following which a court rules that the site be locked.

1950: Mahant Paramhans Ramchandra Das and Gopal Singh Visharad file suits in Faizabad, asking for permission to pray before the installed idols. The puja is allowed though the inner courtyard gates remain locked.

1961: Sunni Central Board of Waqfs in Uttar Pradesh files a case claiming the mosque, and says the surrounding area was a graveyard.

1984: VHP forms a committee to ‘liberate’ the birthplace of Ram and build a temple. BJP leader L K Advani, takes over leadership of the campaign

February 1, 1986: Faizabad district judge orders the gates of disputed shrine be opened to Hindus for worship. Babri Masjid Action Committee formed shortly thereafter.

November 9, 1989: PM Rajiv Gandhi allows shilanyas or groundbreaking ceremony at an undisputed site.

October 30, 1990: Thousands of kar sevaks move to the disputed site to demolish the disputed structure. CM Mulayam Singh Yadav orders firing, killing many.

1991: BJP comes to power in UP.

December 6, 1992: Tens of thousands of kar sevaks demolish the disputed structure. The incident triggers widespread communal riots in the country, killing hundreds.

December 16, 1992: The Narasimha Rao government sets up Liberhan Commission to probe the circumstances that led to the demolition.

February 2002: BJP rules out committing itself to the construction of a temple in its UP assembly election manifesto. VHP confirms deadline of 15 March to begin construction. Hundreds of volunteers converge on site.

February 27, 2002: At least 58 people are killed in an attack on a train in Godhra which is carrying Hindu activists returning from Ayodhya.

April 2002: Three High Court judges begin hearings on determining who owns the religious site.

January 2003: Archaeologists begin a court-ordered survey to find out whether a Ram temple existed on the site.

March-August 2003: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) begins excavation and claims to have found an evidence of a temple. Muslims dispute the findings.

September 2003: A court rules that seven Hindu leaders should stand trial for inciting the mosque demolition.

October 2004: Advani reiterates the BJP's "unwavering" commitment to building a temple at Ayodhya.

July 5, 2005: The heavily guarded site at Ayodhya attacked by LeT terrorists. The attack foiled by security officials and the attackers killed.

June 30, 2009: Justice MS Liberhan submits his report after 17 years and 48 extensions.

November 24, 2009: The Centre’s Action-Taken Report (ATR) tabled in Parliament does not recommend any punitive action against any of the 68 persons held culpable by justice MS Liberhan in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

February 18, 2010: BJP President Nitin Gadkari offers to rebuild the Babri Masjid at a spot away from the disputed site at the party’s National Council meeting.

September 30, 2010: The three-judge Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court rules that disputed site belongs jointly to Hindus, Muslims and the Nirmohi Akhara. The place where the idol of Ram Lalla is currently housed in a makeshift temple under the main dome of the Babri mosque will be given to Hindus.

December 14, 2010: The Sunni Central Waqf Board files a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the SC challenging the Allahabad HC verdict and rules out any compromise.

February 19, 2011: CBI moves SC against Allahabad HC order which erroneously dropped charges of criminal conspiracy against LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and others in the Babri demolition case

May 9, 2011: Calling it a "strange and surprising order", SC stays the Allahabad High Court (HC) verdict saying that none of the parties had demanded the partition of the land.

November 18, 2016: SC agrees to have an urgent hearing of a plea made by Subramanian Swamy regarding the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

March 21, 2017: SC calls upon the stakeholders to settle the matter out of court. CJI JS Khehar offers to mediate for a negotiated settlement of the long-pending issue.

[Kool_SRG]

Babri case: Ready to go to jail for Ayodhya, Ganga and Tiranga, says Uma Bharti

 

The Union Minister for Water Resources, River development and Ganga rejuvenation said that the temple would be built at the designated spot

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Wednesday responded to Wednesday’s Supreme Court order, saying she was ‘ready to face punishment for Ayodhya, Ganga and Tiranga (tricolour).

The Supreme Court had earlier in the day said along with Bharti, senior BJP leaders including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi would face trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case. A day-to-day trial will be held in a court in Lucknow, judges said, and hearing must be completed in two years.

Speaking to DNA, the Union Minister for Water Resources, River development and Ganga rejuvenation said, “There was no conspiracy in the Ayodhya movement. Whatever happened was out in the open. The Ram Mandir movement played a very important role."

 

She added that the government will see to it that the temple would be constructed. "I am yet to discuss it with the prime minister, but Ram Mandir will be constructed," she said.

She also asserted that she was "proud, unapologetic" and does not repent her role in the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign. "I took part in Ram temple campaign with pride and confidence. I had given up the post of Chief Minister for the sake of the tri-colour... I will do whatever it takes to see the Ram temple is constructed...Ram temple will be built, koi maai ka laal use rok nahi sakta (no one has the power to stop it from being built)," Bharti said, adding she was present at the mosque site on December 6, 1992.

[ParmQ]

Great man who worked selflessly for what he believed is right for the country. Huge respect .

It is very sad and I sense in almost every interview of him about Sindh not being part of India.

[Kool_SRG]

So with this chances of him being considered for President looks bleak...Now the time line for the case has been set as Two years.

[DetroitPistons]

With this new twist, line has cleared for Ramoji Rao to potentially become the POI

[Kool_SRG]

Just now, DetroitPistons said:

With this new twist, line has cleared for Ramoji Rao to potentially become the POI

Ramoji Rao ah antunda...Akkada RSS cheif Mohan Bhagwat unnadu front runner.

[micxas]

[trent]

Endo Ayodhya lo ramalayanni padesi masjid kattaru appatlo invaders, manam ippudu masjid ni demolish chesthe tappu Enti ? 

[DetroitPistons]

11 hours ago, Kool_SRG said:

Ramoji Rao ah antunda...Akkada RSS cheif Mohan Bhagwat unnadu front runner.

RSS odu eroju kaadu President 

[Android_Halwa]

11 hours ago, DetroitPistons said:

With this new twist, line has cleared for Ramoji Rao to potentially become the POI

apudu gani bhajana batch balavanthanga eenadu paper sadipistaru....

[Android_Halwa]

13 hours ago, Kool_SRG said:

So with this chances of him being considered for President looks bleak...Now the time line for the case has been set as Two years.

to run as a president, it doesnt matter if someone is going through court procedure...but once a person becomes a president, he has immunity till the end..this is because apart from being a president, he is also supreme commander of Indian armed forces for whom civilian law doesnt apply, hence has immunity till he finishes the term.

If BJP want to promotoe LK dvani as President, then nothing comes in between. 

[Android_Halwa]

I bet, next presidential choice will be unanimous and someone who is popular in public and acceptable to opposition as well...

I think it will be Sushma Swaraj..!