Babri demolition PV’s big mistake: Pranab

An act of absolute perfidy, which should make all Indians hang their heads in shame

New Delhi: It was former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao's inability to prevent the demolition of Babri Masjid that proved to be his biggest failure, President Pranab Mukherjee wrote in the second volume of his memoir “The Turbulent Years: 1980-96”.

“The demolition of Babri Masjid was "an act of absolute perfidy, which should make all Indians hang their heads in shame," wrote Pranab Mukherjee in the book. “He should have entrusted the task of tough negotiations with other political parties to a more senior and seasoned politician familiar with UP politics," an excerpt from the book says.

The memoir further says that after the demolition of the mosque, Mukherjee asked Rao in a private meeting "Was there no one who advised you of the dangers? Did you not understand the global repercussions of any damage to the Babri Masjid? At least now take concrete steps to quell communal tensions and assuage the feelings of Muslims through affirmative action."

In the book Mukherjee seems to have portrayed a frank account of the incidents that affected him deeply. According to another report, in one of the most emotional parts of his memoir, he wrote that after Rajiv Gandhi received the news that his mother had been shot, he turned to him and asked, "Did she deserve all these bullets?"

Mukherjee also wrote that after it was decided that Rajiv should become PM after Indira's death, he was the one who told him to take over as PM. Rajiv's immediate response was: "Do you think I can manage?"

The President's statements on the Babri Masjid demolition can be linked to a recent speech of his where he had said that the idea of secularism needs to be further strengthened in the minds of young people to build a harmonious society.

On 19 January, addressing institutes of higher learning and civil service academies, the President had stressed on the need for providing "value-based education" to the youth. "We must inculcate in them the spirit of democratic behaviour which calls for an appreciation of the rich diversity of our nation, assimilation of ideas, and accommodation for divergent or contrarian views.

The President had also spoken about gender equality and had said it was important for having an "inclusive society". "The occurrence of some unfortunate incidents of atrocity and violence against women in recent years should strengthen our resolve to wipe out any trace of depravity and evil from the minds of individuals.

"Respect for women is sacrosanct in our society with its roots embedded in our civilisational values, which are reflected in our Constitution. A spirit of reverence towards women must be instilled in our children in our homes and educational institutions. It must guide social conduct of an individual from an early age," Mukherjee had said.