India: A billion aspirations
Perspectives on South Asian politics
Indian report raps politicians over Ayodhya mosque destruction
A government-backed inquiry has accused several of India’s top opposition politicians of having a role in the destruction of an ancient mosque in 1992 that triggered some of the country’s worst religious riots.
The report has sparked political protests from opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which finds itself in even more trouble as it struggles to emerge from internal feuding after an election defeat in May.
Hindu mobs demolished the 16-century Babri Mosque in the north Indian town of Ayodhya, claiming it stood on the birthplace of their god-king Rama. Riots between Hindus and Muslims left hundreds dead across India.
The report, 17 years in the making, says some of India’s best known BJP politicians — including former Prime Minister Aal Behari Vajpayee and current opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani — did little to stop the destruction despite knowing of plans to demolish it.
Here is our news story on the report and a Q&A explaining the background.
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The destruction was a shame. That it took 17 years to complete it is as much a shame. Moreover, the political establishment may make merry with it, but is there anything in it which people didn’t already know?To compound it, nothing will come out of it.To kill an issue, give it to a Commission to probe. Everyone goes free and every one gains from it – the victims are forgotten.
interesting read, thanks for the post