Advani Hails Babri Verdict With “Jai Shree Ram”

New Delhi: After a special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted all 32 accused of the conspiracy charges in the Babri Masjid demolition case, including LK Advani, he said it “vindicates my personal and the BJP’s belief and commitment towards the Ram Janmabhoomi movement”. He welcomed the verdict with “Jai Shree Ram” chant.

The others include Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh.

“I also feel blessed that this judgment has come in the footsteps of another landmark verdict of the Supreme Court given in November 2019, which paved the way for my long-cherished dream of seeing a grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, the foundation-laying ceremony of which was held on August 5,” Advani said in a statement.

The special court on Wednesday said that the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, was not planned. Dismissing the audio and video evidence produced by the CBI, judge SK Yadav said that the evidence does not establish charges against the accused. “Anti-social elements brought down the structure. The accused tried to stop the demolition,” the judge added.

Here are some other reactions.

Calling it a “historic” decision, BJP senior Murli Manohar Joshi was quoted by ANI as saying, “Our program and rallies were not part of any conspiracy. We are happy, everyone should now be excited about Ram Mandir’s construction.”

“I welcome the verdict by Special CBI Court, Lucknow acquitting all 32 accused. It proves that justice triumphed however late it may be,” said Defence minister Rajnath Singh.