‘Truth prevails’: BJP leaders welcome Babri demolition case verdict

Reactions have begun to start pouring in after a CBI court in Lucknow on Wednesday delivered the verdict in the Babri Masjid demolition case. All 32 people accused in the case were acquitted by the CBI court, which observed the demolition happened at the “spur of the moment” and was the work of “anti-social” elements.

The demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, had unleashed communal violence in its immediate aftermath. The 32 accused in the case include veteran BJP leaders such as L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh. Kalyan Singh was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh at the time of the incident.

BJP National General Secretary B.L. Santosh declared the CBI court verdict proved “truth prevails”. Santosh tweeted, “All 32 accused acquitted in the Babri building demolition case . Court rules out any conspiracy behind the demolition . Considers the demolition a spur of the moment . TRUTH  PREVAILS.” Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the demolition of the Babri Masjid was "spontaneous". He tweeted, "I was witness to the entire incident of 6th Dec.  It was all spontaneous no conspiracy. I was conducting the meeting from dais I was surprised when some Kar Sewaks climbed Babri str.Advaniji was unhappy.”

Ram Madhav, former general secretary of the BJP, tweeted, “victory triumphs”. Madhav tweeted, “Victory triumphs. CBI court’s acquittal in Babri conspiracy case was long overdue. A malicious case against some of the most respected leaders of our nation has fallen aside finally after 3 decades. Everyone should welcome d judgement”.

Hindutva activists such as Sadhvi Rithambhara and Champat Rai were also among the accused. All accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case—except Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti, Satish Pradhan and Mahant Nritya Gopal Das—were present in court.

Even before the verdict was delivered, Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut declared the Babri Masjid case was of "no relevance" as the Bhoomi Pujan of the Ram Mandir at the site had already been done. Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had expressed support for the move to demolish the Babri Masjid.