Babri demolition: BJP faces in 25-year-long legal battle
Authored By Wion Web Desk
Published: Dec 03, 2017, 22:35 IST | Updated: Dec 03, 2017, 22:35 IST
Now on December 5, 2017, on the 25th anniversary of Babri mosque demolition, the Supreme Court will begin final hearing in the case to decide if a Ram temple should be built at the site. Here?s a look at people who are at the centre of the case.
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Babri Masjid demolition
On December 6, 1992, a large crowd of karsevaks (volunteers) destroyed the 16th-century Babri Mosque in the city of Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh.
The demolition of the mosque triggered riots that killed thousands.
In the decades that followed, the case saw tensions and violence, and issue of building Ram temple at the site entered mainstream politics.
The demolition of the mosque triggered riots that killed thousands.
In the decades that followed, the case saw tensions and violence, and issue of building Ram temple at the site entered mainstream politics.
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Black Day all over the country
Two FIRs were filed - one against BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and others, and the other one against unknown karsevaks. The CBI, which took over the investigation, later charged the BJP leaders with criminal conspiracy in connection with the demotion of mosque.
Six Left parties will observe the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6 as ?Black Day? all over the country.
Six Left parties will observe the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6 as ?Black Day? all over the country.
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L K Advani
On December 6, 1992, Advani organised a rally near Babri mosque, where many of his close aides claim he gave a fiery speech to a frenzied mob of karsevaks (volunteers) which led to clashes and razing of the mosque. Advani, in his speech, had given a call to build Ram temple near Babri mosque.
In his later statements, Advani said on many occasions that he tried to stop the clashes. A CBI charge sheet named Advani accusing him of conspiracy.
In his later statements, Advani said on many occasions that he tried to stop the clashes. A CBI charge sheet named Advani accusing him of conspiracy.
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Uma Bharti
Union minister and prominent BJP leader Uma Bharti has been charged with conspiracy in the Babri mosque demolition case. According to investigators, she was present at a rally organised by BJP leader LK Advani on December 6, 1992, where she made inflammatory remarks which led to mosque?s demolition.
She was later heard speaking at a rally in Assam that Babri demolition was a part of 'pre-conceived' plan. The Supreme Court had revived conspiracy charges against Bharti along with Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other BJP leaders.
She was later heard speaking at a rally in Assam that Babri demolition was a part of 'pre-conceived' plan. The Supreme Court had revived conspiracy charges against Bharti along with Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other BJP leaders.
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Kalyan Singh
Kalyan Singh is the Governor of Rajasthan. He was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when Babri mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992, and resigned after taking ?moral responsibility? after the mosque was razed.
He has been accused by the CBI of acquiring land for the construction of Ram temple in the name of ?promoting tourism?. According to chargesheet filed against Singh, he along with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi visited Ayodhya with members of BJP, where they allegedly promised to construct the temple.
The Supreme Court, while reopening the cases against Advani and other BJP leaders in April 2017, excused Singh from facing criminal conspiracy charge in the Babri Masjid demolition case respecting the constitutional immunity he enjoyed in the gubernatorial position.
He has been accused by the CBI of acquiring land for the construction of Ram temple in the name of ?promoting tourism?. According to chargesheet filed against Singh, he along with senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi visited Ayodhya with members of BJP, where they allegedly promised to construct the temple.
The Supreme Court, while reopening the cases against Advani and other BJP leaders in April 2017, excused Singh from facing criminal conspiracy charge in the Babri Masjid demolition case respecting the constitutional immunity he enjoyed in the gubernatorial position.
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Murli Manohar Joshi
Murli Manohar Joshi is another BJP leader charged with criminal conspiracy in Babri mosque demolition. He was on his way to Ayodhya from Mathura when he addressed the crowd and allegedly made remarks about his involvement in the demolition of Babri Masjid citing that the Ram Temple would be built no matter what.
Supreme Court of India reinstated the criminal conspiracy charges against Murli Manohar Joshi on April 2017.
He has also been accused of influencing karsevaks (volunteers) ahead of Advani?s December 6, 1992, rally when the Babri mosque was demolished.
Supreme Court of India reinstated the criminal conspiracy charges against Murli Manohar Joshi on April 2017.
He has also been accused of influencing karsevaks (volunteers) ahead of Advani?s December 6, 1992, rally when the Babri mosque was demolished.
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Vinay Katiyar
BJP leader Vinay Katiyar is charged with conspiracy along with LK Advani, Uma Bharti and others in the Babri mosque demolition case. Katiyar, the founder of Bajrang Dal, faces similar charges of making inflammatory speeches on December 6, 1992, when the Babri mosque was razed.
A firebrand leader, Katiyar said that the decision to re-open the Babri case was a "conspiracy by the CBI".
A firebrand leader, Katiyar said that the decision to re-open the Babri case was a "conspiracy by the CBI".
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Advani, Joshi, Bharti and Singh
The special court had on May 30 framed the serious criminal conspiracy charge against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and nine others and allowed the prosecution to begin the trial.
Their application for discharge from the offence was rejected by judge Yadav. The court had also granted them bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
The other charges against them include indulging in ?deliberate and malicious? acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.
Their application for discharge from the offence was rejected by judge Yadav. The court had also granted them bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
The other charges against them include indulging in ?deliberate and malicious? acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.