Verdict vindication of commitment to Ram Janmabhoomi cause: Advani

His acquittal by a special CBI court in the Babri Masjid demolition case was a “vindication” of his and the BJP’s commitment to the cause of Ram Janmabhoomi, BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani said on Wednesday (September 30).

All the 32 accused, including Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, have been acquitted in the case that was investigated by the CBI.

Stating that he “wholeheartedly” welcomed the verdict, Advani, 91, said he felt “blessed” that it came after the Supreme Court’s November 2019 order that “paved the way for my long-cherished dream of seeing a grand Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya”. 

He celebrated the “moment of happiness” by chanting “Jai Shri Ram”, Advani said, adding, “I look forward to the completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.”

Related News: Special CBI court acquits Advani, Joshi, others in Babri mosque demolition case

The ceremony for laying the foundation of the proposed Ram temple at Ayodhya was performed on August 5.  

Joshi called it a “historic decision”. “This proves that no conspiracy was hatched for the December 6 (in 1992) incident in Ayodhya. Our programme and rallies were not part of any conspiracy,” he said. “Everyone should now be excited about Ram Mandir’s construction.”

The case related to the demolition of the Babri masjid by the kar sevaks of the BJP and the VHP during a rally that was led by Advani, Joshi, Bharti and others. But, 28 years after the incident, the special CBI court dismissed the case due to lack of sufficient evidence. The court said the CBI had failed to prove the charges against the accused. It said the act was spontaneous and was not pre-planned conspiracy.

Related News: Babri demolition to Ram temple: An in-depth take on the Ayodhya issue

“Anti-social elements” caused the demolition and the RSS and the VHP did not have any role in it, the court said, according to the defence lawyer Manish Tripathi.   

The CBI had produced over 350 witnesses and about 600 documents as evidence. The agency had initially filed charges against 48 people, but 16 of them died during the trial.