BJP says it does not endorse its minister’s remark on Shiv Sena’s role in Babri Masjid demolition

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Maharashtra chief on Tuesday said that the party does not endorse state minister Chandrakant Patil’s statement questioning the role of the Shiv Sena in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, The Indian Express reported.

Earlier this week, Patil said that the demolition of the mosque was led by Hindutva organistions Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini. “The Shiv Sena [then led by Bal Thackeray] had no role in the Babri mosque demolition,” he said.

The Babri Masjid was demolished by Hindutva extremists on December 6, 1992, because they believed that it stood on land that was the birthplace of Hindu deity Ram. The incident had triggered communal riots across the country.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the party did not endorse Patil’s statement and that it was his personal view. Bawankule said that all those who took part in the demolition of the mosque had only one dream – to witness the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

“Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and sainiks also held the view that Babri mosque should be demolished and a magnificent Ram temple should be built at Ayodhya,” the state BJP chief said.

Patil’s remarks had led to vociferous criticism from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)....

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