Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Apr 6: Close on the heels of the explosive revelation by Cobrapost on the December 6, 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik said that Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math should disclose the details of the reported 'secret' meeting held by RSS, VHP and other Hindu leaders just before the demolition took place, as the Swamiji, he said, was part of the meeting.
Pejawar Swamiji in a statement to the media late night on Saturday April 6 admitted that a meeting was indeed convened on December 5, 1992 at 10 pm, but denied that anything related to the demolition of the mosque was discussed.
"The meeting was held not to discuss the demolition of the Masjid but about cleaning up the place. The same information was conveyed to the then Prime Minister also. Leaders like Ashok Singhal, Admar Swamiji, and RSS conveners were present. " he said.
"There was no decision on demolition of the structure. Aggravated Karsevaks who were disappointed with the leaders vented their outrage and went on to destroy the structure. I too was a part of the meeting and there was no agenda to demolish the structure," he said, adding that he had in fact tried to stop the demolition when the Karsevaks went on a rampage.
"Reports claiming that we held a secret meeting to demolish the mosque are totally false. Its nothing but a rumour. Only a homa was performed at 10 pm," he said.
On his opinion about building of Ram temple at the spot, he said the next government would decide on it.
Speaking to daijiworld, Pramod Muthalik said that during the 90s he was working as a small-time pracharak in Mysore district and was unaware of the secret meeting held on December 5, 1992. "Why was the meeting necessary before the demolition of the structure?" he questioned.
"It is factually correct that RSS, VHP and BJP were actively involved in the incident, but there was no need for Cobrapost to assert it. It was already open in the public. The Pejawar Swamiji should answer truthfully on the true agenda of the meeting convened a day before the demolition, and the necessity of the meeting. He should not make any effort to hide the details of the meeting," Muthalik said.
"Everyone should know the agenda behind the secret meeting, which then was not even known to many of the cadres of Hindu outfits. It is his duty to expose the hidden agenda behind the meeting," he demanded.
Holding VHP, RSS and BJP responsible for the demolition, he rubbished Cobrapost revelation that the cadres were given training by retired military officials. He also insisted that the demolition was not planned, but was only a result of 'anger'.