In an expected turn of events, the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to approach the Supreme Court against the high court decision of granting reprieve to the senior BJP leaders accused in the Babri demolition case.
“If the CBI wants to take the case to its logical conclusion, it must appeal against the high court order and this will also prove whether the Congress-led UPA government is genuinely interested in punishing the demolition accused or not,” said BMAC convenor Zafaryab Jilani.
Mr Jilani said that after getting reprieve in the criminal conspiracy case, BJP leaders, including L.K. Advani, Dr M.M. Joshi and Vinay Katiyar had virtually been let off the hook. “The charges pending against them are comparatively mild in nature and will not entail suitable punishment. This implies that those responsible for inciting the mob to demolish the Babri mosque have been allowed to go scot free,” he explained.
The BMAC has also revived its demand for a fresh notification to be issued by the state government in the Babri case. It may be recalled that in 2001, the court had set aside a petition for clubbing of two FIRs in the Babri case on “technical grounds” and the court had observed that if the state government wanted, it could issue a fresh notification in the matter.
The Congress, which does not wish to be seen having an anti-minority posture, has also asked the Mayawati government to issue a fresh notification in the matter.
According to Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari, “The Mayawati government still has the option to issue a fresh notification and pave the way for trial of the accused. The state government must examine the legal issue and remove the technical flaw. The state government enjoys majority on its own and cannot be said to be under pressure from allies this time,” he said.
UP chief minister Mayawati is said to be weighing the political ramifications of the issue. “If she sits over the issue, she will find favour with the BJP which still remains her potential ally at the Centre and in the state. If she decides to issue a fresh notification, she will succeed in finding favour with the minorities,” said an analyst.