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Journalism of Courage
With Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanding his resignation for stating that then Shiv Sena had no role in the planning and execution of the demolition of Babri Masjid, state BJP Minister Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said that he did not make any statement against Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray.
Claiming that his statement was misinterpreted, Patil said he would call up Uddhav to clarify.
Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Patil said in Pune, “I stand by my statement that the Babri Masjid demolition was done under the banner of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and not BJP or Shiv Sena. It was done in the third attempt and the demolition was done by all Hindus. Shiv Sainiks were involved in it.”
“Nobody participated in kar seva (movement to demolish the Babri structure) as members of their parties but as Hindus. At the time of the demolition (in December 1992), there was no separation between Shiv Sena workers and non-Shiv Sena workers. All participated as Hindus,” he added.
Patil claimed that his statement was misinterpreted by those having a political agenda. “I never made a statement against Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. I was misinterpreted. I admire the Sena supremo and have said so many times. No one can forget his contribution in the fight for Hindu community. It is because of Thackeray that Hindus are alive in Mumbai,” Patil said, adding that his statements were made only in connection to the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya.
Patil further said that no one will ever tolerate any disrespect to Balasaheb.
“My statement is being distorted. What I had said was that it was VHP and its sub-organisations Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini, which led the Babri mosque demolition.” With Uddhav seeking his resignation as minister, Patil said, “I will talk to former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to clear the matter.”
He added that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also called him, urging him to clarify his statement.
On Monday, Patil had sparked a row saying, “Some make tall claims the demolition of Babri Masjid was done (planned) in the Shiv Sena Bhavan, and the party had sent a group (to the spot) for the purpose. Actually, the demolition was done by Hindus, and it was led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. There were some of its sub-groups, such as the Bajrang Dal, involved in it, and workers of the Shiv Sena were also a part of it.”
The state BJP, meanwhile, distanced itself from Patil’s remark. State party president Chandrashekhar Bawankule told mediapersons, “The BJP does not endorse Patil’s statement. It is Patil’s personal view.”
“Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and Shiv Sainiks also held the view that Babri Masjid should be demolished and a magnificent Ram temple should be built at Ayodhya,” he added. The role and support of Bal Thackeray and Shiv Sainiks cannot be disputed, he said.
With PTI inputs
