Hope never dies in human heart. Common Indian Muslims still remember BJP’s Ayodhya campaign that killed thousands of them, rendered so many of them homeless, hurt and humiliated. Muslims have always hoped that perpetrators of this monumental crime and their leaders like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharati and Vinay Katiyar would be brought to justice.

No such thing happened over the last 18 years. Instead, these people went on to become ministers in NDA government at the Centre, which looked like rewarding crime. Advani, the lead player in the macabre drama, became Home Minister of India, responsible for law and order and internal security. The irony of a law breaker becoming law enforcer was lost on no one. Justice was reduced to a farce.

The mockery of justice was so complete that ten years after the mass murder and Babri Masjid demolition under the able leadership of Advani-Joshi-Bharti-Katiyar and Co Advani got another windfall: a special CBI court dropped the charge of conspiracy against him saying there was no proof.

This was an additional setback for the victims as well as for the justice delivery system and rule of law. However, following the deposition of IPS officer Anju Gupta before a Special CBI court in Rae Bareli late last week victims of BJP-RSS hooliganism have got some reason to hope again.

Gupta, an IPS officer of 1990 batch, was posted in Faizabad at the time deployed as personal security officer of Advani. She told the court in clear terms that Advani as well as a 100 other Hindutva leaders were involved in inciting hooligans for violence and destruction.

She also exposed Advani’s public lie that he had no control over the demented mob that indulged in violence and destruction. He had also been claiming that December 6, 1992 was the “saddest day” in his life.

Contrary to this hypocritical claim, Gupta said: “As soon as Advani came on the dais, the situation became tense. It worsened when he started speaking. When the first dome was damaged, Bharti and Rithambra hollered to the karsevaks to give it another push and bring it down. When the second and third dome fell, they hugged each other and distributed sweets. They also hugged Advani and Joshi. Advani looked euphoric. He repeatedly declared from the dias that the Ram temple would be built at the disputed side”.

Now tt is clear how innocent or truthful Advani is. However, it is not clear at this stage whether he and his group of Ayodhya rabble-rousers will ever be brought to justice. g

Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam

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