'Babri mosque demolition in India was pre-planned'
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

SRINAGAR: A book authored by a former senior Indian intelligence officer revealed that demolition of the historic Babri Mosque at Ayodhya was planned 10 months in advance by Hindu extremist leaders of Rashtriya Sevak Sang (RSS) Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Paradesh (VHP).

The author, a former IB Joint Director, Maloy Krishna Dhar in his book "open Secrets-India's intelligence un-veiled" pointed out that the blue print for demolition of the mosque was drawn in a meeting held in February 1992 attended by leaders of the extremist Hindu groups.

The RSS, BJP and VHP beside Baajrang Dal leaders present at the meeting agreed to work in a well-orchestrated manner. They have been maintaining that demolition was result of impromptu action by angry " Kar Sevaks" and that the top leadership had tried to stop them, the IB Joint Director said.

Referring to the the December 5,1992 meeting of RSS, VHP, BJP and Shiv Sena leaders, including Advani and M M Joshi, the author says "There was silent resoluteness and agreement that Ayodhya offered a unique opportunity to take the Hindutva wave to the peak for deriving political benefit. The iron was hot and this was the time to hit."

Dhar, who outlines how he merged with the huge crowds of 'Kar Sevaks' pretending to be a journalist and got the proceedings shot on December 6,1992, says that vandalism was committed by activists of Shiv Sena while Sangh Parivar leaders indulged in "irresponsible rhetoric".

"L K Advani had spat fire from the pulpit but he failed to control the flames. Taped videos substantiated that he was progenitor of the tsunami effect that he failed to control at the vital moment of destiny," says the sleuth claiming to have made a videotape and 70 still snaps.●