By IANS,
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday questioned the Congress why it raises the Babri Masjid demolition issue time and again and asked the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) to study the 12,000-page verdict before commenting on it.
After the ruling Congress Tuesday said the Ayodhya verdict “in no way condones” the “shameful and criminal” demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992, the BJP termed the statement as “unfortunate”.
It said the law was taking its course on the issue and the Congress should stop giving “edifications”.
“It has been said time and again that a procedure is separately going on for Dec 6 (the day Babri Mosque was demolished). This is a legal action. I am not willing to speak on the issue,” BJP’s general secretary and spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here.
“But the Congress should first give answer that who had got the locks opened (near the disputed site ahead of the demolition). Those talking about Dec 6 should answer this question first,” he said.
Prasad said it was “unfortunate” that the Congress was raising the issue and added: “The whole country knows about what has been the attitude of the Congress in the matter. So it will be better if they (Congress) do not give edifications.”
He was replying to a question on the Congress’ reaction on the issue.
The BJP leader also alleged that the then P.V. Narasimha Rao-headed Congress government had attempted to “implicate” those booked in the Babri Mosque demolition case, including senior BJP leader L.K. Advani and other party leaders.
“We are facing this trial. A decision will be taken,” he pointed out.
Prasad was also asked about the CPI-M’s stand that the Allahabad High Court verdict for a three-way division of the land in Ayodhya was based on “faith and belief” and would set a dangerous precedent for the future.
Prasad said “what the Communists understand of faith… they should better read the 12,000 page verdict.”
CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat Tuesday earlier said the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 was a criminal offence and an assault on the secular principle.