Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh on Wednesday said he was not in favour of demolition of the Babri Masjid, but admitted protecting karsevaks by instructing security forces not to open fire at them.
“I was not in favour of demolishing the mosque. But, I protected karsevaks who were demolishing the mosque by not issuing firing orders. I instructed the security forces not to open fire at karsevaks on December 6, 1992,” he told reporters. Singh, 77, was here with his family to pay obeisance.
“Jaldi kuchh intjam kariye, kab tak is jhonpari mei pare rahengei (Make some quick arrangements, how long will you continue to stay in the hut?)” he asked, standing with folded hands before the idols of Ramlala in the makeshift temple.
Singh seemed to suggest that he be brought to power soon to construct a grand temple at the site.
After emerging from the complex, he told reporters: “I have asked for something, but I will not reveal it now.”
His comments came a day after he floated the Jan Kranti Party, the ideology of which, he said, would be “Hinduism and nationalism”.
{{/usCountry}}His comments came a day after he floated the Jan Kranti Party, the ideology of which, he said, would be “Hinduism and nationalism”.
{{/usCountry}}Taking a U-turn, he said he had never apologised to Muslims for the demolition of the masjid. Incidentally, when he was with the Samajwadi Party after parting ways with the BJP, he had in public meetings apologised for his “failure” in saving the structure.
He said he would convince Muslims to abandon their claim on the site and allow the Ram temple to be constructed. Singh added he was hopeful of a peaceful solution through talks between Hindu and Muslim leaders.
“I had initiated some effort in that direction at one point of time, but before I could make much headway, my government was out,” he said, referring to the dismissal of his government by the Centre.