Justice delayed is indeed justice denied, as seen in the Babri Masjid demolition case where the culprits are still enjoying a cosy life, publicity and political mileage. The Liberhan Commission, which took 17 years to unearth facts, cannot bring the demolished mosque back. From top hardcore Hindutva-wadis to pseudo moderates, all are enjoying the protection of the principal Opposition party, which is unwilling to assume moral responsibility for its act.
The lack of action against the plotters, ideologues and those at the helm of affairs in 1992 has hurt the minorities deeply.
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It is difficult to believe that the BJP, the VHP and the RSS knew about the plan to assemble thousands of kar sevaks in Ayodhya for the demolition of the Babri Masjid but the Centre knew nothing about it. The carelessness on the part of the Narasimha Rao government is tantamount to a crime. The Prime Minister of India sacrificed the Babri Masjid to save his own government, which is a shame on the Congress.
Asim Khan, Bangalore
The Liberhan report has only confirmed what was already known on the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. The BJP encouraged kar sevaks to visit Ayodhya for electoral advantage and to pressure the government to give in to the construction of a Ram temple. A temple near the masjid would have perhaps satisfied it. But the reactionary elements within the party took advantage of the situation and instigated the sevaks to demolish the mosque. The moderate leaders found they were helpless. They might have regretted the demolition but they could not openly condemn it. The Narasimha Rao government at the Centre, too, did not anticipate the situation and after the demolition looked at the Uttar Pradesh government for action. Unfortunately, the ruling BJP had ensured that its men were in important posts so that no strong action could be taken against the sevaks.
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Only an honest, well-trained and non-political bureaucracy can ensure that the official machinery performs its task efficiently and without any bias. It is time political parties jointly ensured that this is done. We may be the largest democracy but we do not yet have a free and fair democracy.
A.B. Mehta, Bhopal