Author: UNI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: June 13, 2001
Union Home Minister L K Advani today
said the then V P Singh Government had lost a chance to solve the Ayodhya
issue in 1990 by withdrawing, under Muslim groups' pressure an ordinance
to acquire the undisputed land around the Babri mosque to be handed over
to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for temple construction.
Deposing before the Justice Liberhan
Commission, probing the demolition of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, Advani also
disclosed that Singh had told him in October 1990 that if his Government's
efforts to resolve the Ayodhya issue succeeded he too would perform Kar
Seva at Ayodhya.
On the ordinance issued by the Centre
on October 19, 1990, he said it was withdrawn by the V P Singh Government
within 24 hours under pressure from Muslim groups.
``What made the Government withdraw
the ordinance was presumably the opposition voiced by Babri Masjid Action
Committee and if I am not mistaken, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid,'' he said.
``This conduct only confirmed my
misgivings about the Government that this is a Government committed to
the policy of appeasement, a policy which is not in the interest of anyone
and not in the interest of even minorities,'' Advani said.
