Uma Bharti defends names of BJP leaders in Babri Masjid demolition case

Bhopal, Nov 23(ANI): Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and chief of Bhartiya Janshakti Party, Uma Bharti, on Monday defended leaders of the BJP whose names have featured in a leaked report of the judicial commission that probed demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992.

A section of the media on Monday reported that the Justice Liberhan Commission has named former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee along with senior BJP leaders L.K.Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi as being responsible for spearheading the Karseva movement to demolish the mosque.

Addressing the media persons in Bhopal, Bharti questioned the integrity of the report and said: "Since I have not seen the entire report, I can't comment on it. However, if actually the name of Atal Behari is mentioned in this report, it is a question mark on the integrity of report itself."

She further suspected that the Union Government has deliberately leaked the report to malign the top leaders of the BJP.

"Present Government being of UPA (United Progressive Alliance, led by the Congress party) and sources of Home Ministry leaking the report suggests that the ruling government wants to malign the image of some leaders," Bharti said.

The report quoting the commission's report said the entire build-up to the demolition was meticulously planned and there was reportedly nothing to show that these leaders were either unaware of what was going on or were innocent bystanders to any wrongdoing.

The Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan Commission was set up by the then P.V.Narasimha Rao Government on December 16, 1992.

After 17 years and 42 extensions the commission submitted its report on June 30 this year.

The Union Home Ministry is reportedly giving final touches to the Action Taken Report (ATR). The ATR is likely to be placed before Parliament alongwith the Liberhan Commission's report in the current session.

Justice Liberhan has declined to comment on the news report, saying the Commission's report is with the Government. (ANI)