The Mahurat for the commencement of the Karseva had been fixed for 12:15pm on the 6th December 1992.
The Sadhus and Sants were seated on the platform on the 6th of December. About one hundred Swayam Sewaks of RSS equipped with batons and belts were looking after the arrangements and controlling going onto the platform. A few PAC jawans were also present there with batons.
Other leaders and organizers of the Karseva and the important religious leaders and Sadhus and Sants were present on the dais at the Ram Katha Kunj in large numbers. Tents had been erected within Ram Dewar as well as outside the acquired land of 2.77 acres for the stay of the karsevaks and their leaders.
The total force deployed in Ayodhya on 6th December 1992 admittedly consisted of 35 companies of PAC, 4 companies of CRPF including the women wing squad, 15 tear gas squad, 15 Police Inspectors, 30 sub-Inspectors of police, 2300 Police constables, bomb disposal squad, sniffer dog squads, Fire Brigade and ambulance. The deployed force was under the charge of DB Roy, SSP Faizabad. DIG Faizabad, IG Lucknow zone, IG PAC, and Commandants of CRPF were also present in Ayodhya on duty for security of the disputed structure. Magistrates were posted at sensitive places and at the Ram Janambhoomi Complex.
The entire administration at Ayodhya was controlled by District Magistrate RN Srivastava. He was acting on a direct, minute-to-minute control of the Chief Minister. The Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary were directly in touch with the District Magistrate and were giving instruction from time to time from Lucknow. The Commissioner Faizabad was present in Ayodhya on the fateful day without taking any active interest either for security or for crowd control or guiding the officers under his supervisory control.
195 companies of paramilitary forces were stationed around Ayodhya near Faizabad ready for being deployed to meet any situation. The State Government was categorically told in writing as well as orally that forces stationed around Ayodhya near Faizabad were available for deployment at Ayodhya as and when state wants to deploy them. The force stationed had been clearly instructed to be available to the state without seeking any further orders.
At about 9.30 a.m., the Home Secretary of India, informed the DGP of ITBP to keep the paramilitary forces ready in case of any request for assistance was received from the State Government and to deploy the forces without waiting for the formal orders from Ministry of Home Affairs. The Home Secretary also requested the Principal Home Secretary, Uttar Pradesh present at the residence of the Chief Minister as well as UP DGP to persuade the Chief Minister to utilize the central forces. These facts have been admitted and were not in dispute before the Commission. V.K. Sexena accepted the factum of a fax having been sent to the state by Central Government about the availability of the forces stationed and ready for being used at Ayodhya by the state in the eventuality of need.
At 10:30 a.m. L.K. Advani M.M. Joshi, accompanied by Vinay Katiyar, along with the Sadhus and Sants followed by Ashok Singhal reached the platform, meant for the puja and sumbolic Karseva. On their arrival, a defiant group ofKarsevaks pushed themselves against the security cordon and dispite the resistance offered by the RSS Swayan Sevaks, breached the security cordon and reached the platform meant for Puja.
No visible substantial resistance was put up by the police or the administration for forestalling the intruders The RSS Swayam Sevaks succeeded in physically throwing the intruders out from the platform. L.K. Advani and MM Joshi after seeing the arrangements for the symbolic Karseva, stayed at the platform for about 10 to 20 minutes an thereafter went to the Ram Katha Kunj at a distance of 200 yards from there.
The Administration pretentiously and falsely reassured the assembled journalists, that everything was under control and they should not waste their time.
Religious Leaders and others had been making fiery speeches at the Ram Katha Kunj Ayodhya for some time.
District Magistrate and SSP Faizabad took a round of Ram Janambhoomi complex at about 11:45 a.m. from east to west via south and came back to east.
At about noon, a teenaged Karsevak, vaulted onto the dome and thereby signaled the breaking of the outer cordon. Other Karsevaks wielding pickaxes, hammers, iron rods, and shovels started scaling the Ram Dewar and over the barriers of the outer, inner and isolation cordons, from the east, west and south directions. They stormed the disputed structure. The police deployed at the spot gave their canes and shields to the karsevaks who brandished them openly.
The Karsevaks’s assault on the disputed structure started around 12:15 PM. They first entered the Garb Grah and carefully took the idols and cash box etc. to a safe place. Continuous brick batting at the security force gave ample cover to the Karsevaks assaulting the disputed structure. This was a planned act in order to give the impression of spontaneous chaos. This is corroborated by admitted facts including the space available within the cordons. There was no order requiring the movement of the forces from the outside towards the cordons. The whole open area between the cordons was occupied predominantly by the Karsevaks and their leaders. The Karsevaks on the domes started breaking the upper plaster, etc with hammers.
The demolition was accomplished by smashing holes inside the walls. Ropes were inserted through these holes in the walls under the domes; the walls were pulled down with these ropes, bringing down the domes as well.
The Karsevaks succeeded in pulling down the first dome at 1:55 p.m. This breakthrough sent the hard core protagonists like Sadhivi Ritambra and the other Sadhus, Sants and leaders into ecstasy.
The forces present in Ram Janam Bhoomi complex were outnumbered and got mixed up with the Karsevaks. They did not have any means of communication with their officers present in the control room. The state police and the PAC took no action throughout. The CRPF forces ressembled at Sita Rasoi, but no order was given to them thereafter.
Around a hundred and fifty Karsevaks suddenly broke through the cordons. The evidence presented before the Commission suggests that the total numbers present within the corridors was anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000. The presence of another 75,000 to 150,000 Karsevaks was claimed at Ram Katha Kunj at a distance of 200 yard from the disputed structure. Ram Katha Kunj was an open area expanding up to Ram Dewar.
L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi, Ashok Singhal, Vijay Raja Scindia, H.V. Sheshadri etc. who were present at the Ram Katha Kunj made feeble requests to the Karsevaksto come down from the disputed structure, either in earnest or for the media’s benefit. One could have reasonably perceived that the demolition of the disputed structure was not possible from the top of the domes. No request was made to Karsevaks not to enter the Garb Grah or not to demolish from inside under the domes. This selected act of the leaders itself speaks about the Hidden intentions of one and all being to accomplish demolition of the disputed structure. The icons of the movement present at the Ram Katha Kunj could have just as easily have proceeded to the corridors and utilizing the administration’s assistance or that of their highly disciplined Swayamsevaks, prevented the demolition.
LK Advani first made requests over the public address system to the Karsevaks on the dome to come down. When the request fell on deaf ears, then he deputed Uma Bharti, Acharya Dharamendra Dev, Baikunth Lal Sharma ‘Prem’ to go along with his own personnel security officer Anju Gupta to the disputed structure to persuade the Karsevaks to come down.
Karsevaks and their leadership consistently refused to change their conduct or the stand taken by them. After these initial attempts were made to pacify theKarsevaks, nothing was done thereafter to stop the assault, either by the organizers or the Sadhus and Sants; or by the administration and the police.
Karsevaks assaulted the journalists and photographers present in and around Ram Janambhoomi complex and the disputed structure and at Manas Bhavan etc. The assault coincided with the crowd entering into the cordon. In other words, the journalists and the structure were attacked simultaneously. The Karsevaks snatched film rolls and smashed the camera and beat up journalists and photographers present in the complex or outside.
The Idol and cash box removed to safe place before the Karsevaks went inside the domes were placed at their original place at about 7pm.
Enthusiastic chanting of inflammatory slogans including “Ek Dhaka Aur do, Babri Masjid tor do” acted like the proverbial war cry and these were raised to encourage the Karsevaks in their dastardly deeds. Slogans against Muslims were also raised. Sarcastic remarks were made against High Court and the Supreme Court. Mulayam Singh’s “Yahan Parinda Bhi Par Nahin Mar Sakta” comment was mocked.
The District Magistrate in this chaotic scenario did nothing. Nor did the galaxy of the senior officers named in my report including AK Saran, SP Gaur, and CK Malik etc took any steps to stops the demolition or assaulting the journalists.
Only after seeking permission from the Chief Minister, the District Magistrate requisitioned the paramilitary forces stationed around Ayodhya and Faizabad at about 12:30 p.m. The Chief Minister had now granted permission to deploy the paramilitary forces subject to the condition they would not resort to firing on the persuasion of the UP Home Secretary at the stage when he felt assured that the task of achieving the promises made in the election manifesto had been substantially fulfilled and that nothing could be done to undo the demolition or any other act likely to be carried out like the construction of a makeshift temple at the spot. Secondly, it was ensured through loyal workers that the paramilitary forces did not reach the disputed structure during the period that the demolition was being affected. The organizers with the benefit of experienced and retired officers were well aware about the significance of the time factor.
Requisitioned at 12:45 pm, the paramilitary forces were unable to reach the disputed structure and faced stiff resistance, as well as physical hurdles employed by the Karsevaks, either of their own violation or on being exhorted by the leadership.
The District Magistrate and DIG Faizabad requisitioned from the Director General ITBP and Deputy Inspector General CRPF, 30 companies of the paramilitary forces, and later another 50 companies. The Director General of the paramilitary forces requested Magistrates to accompany the paramilitary forces from their base to Ayodhya. The House Secretary asked the DGP to issues necessary instructions at 2.30pm and spoke to the Chief Secretary to the same effect. He also spoke to the Defence Secretary to provide helicopters for the movement of additional troops if necessary.
Thereafter, three battalions of forces left for Ayodhya accompanied by Magistrates and Circle Officers, while the rest of the battalions were waiting for the Magistrates who never came. The paramilitary forces were not allowed to reach Ayodhya by the Karsevaks by placing physical hurdles and becoming unwieldy on way to Ayodhya.
V.K. Sexena confirmed that the Home Department had authorized the District Magistrate to utilize the available paramilitary forces. The District Magistrate gave written requisition to the DIG CRPF in the control room to make available 15 companies. The Chief Minister personally phoned the District Magistrate to take all available measures to control the situation without resorting to firing. However, the damage to the disputed structure continued and no action was taken by the police or the IG, DIG, District Magistrate or the SSP Faizabad present at the spot till 12:50 p.m.
On the other hand, officers can be seen on video cassettes saying “Kuch To Karo” without in fact doing anything at all.
At 1.15pm, the DGP opined that the situation could not be brought under control without resorting to firing. However, emphasis was placed again on the categorical order prohibiting firing under any circumstances.
The Home Minister asked the Chief Minister about the action taken. The DG ITBP, informed the Home Minister about resistance being faced and the road blocks created by the people enroute. He stated that they had reached the degree college with much difficulty, to face stone pelting and resistance and further hurdles and road blocks.
Even though the Chief Minister was informed about this, he gave a written order not to resort to firing under any circumstances and to take any other measures to control the situation. The Magistrate ordered in the writing for the forces to turn back at about 2.25 PM.
State Government and the Home Secretary were kept informed, from the time the first dome was demolished, that the way could not be cleared without the use of force, which neither the Chief Minister, nor the District Magistrate, permitted. At this stage another interesting fact about the conduct of Chief Minister Kalyan Singh emerged is: that despite of the whole world was seeing the happenings at the disputed structure including the assault on the journalist, the Chief Minister asserted that he would verify the facts brought to his notice by the administration or the media. The whole conduct and acts of the Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was intended to delay the deployment of paramilitary forces or the intervention of the Central Government before the object of demolition is completely achieved.
Communal Riots had commenced at Ayodhya at about 3.30 PM. Riots were carried out by another group of Karsevaks that i.e. one group of Karsevaks who were carrying out the demolition. The DGP again informed the Chief Minister and others in the hierarchy that the situation could not be brought under control without resorting to firing. The Central Government repeatedly responded to the situation by informing the State Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs that officers at any level were free to seek the assistance of Army by approaching the local authority directly for which instructions had already been issued.
The Director General of the paramilitary forces informed the State Government of the availability of two battalions of rapid action force present and their readiness to move to Faizabad. The District Magistrate, at about 6 pm informed the Director General that he were trying to arrange the magistrates in whose absence the troops could not be deployed.
The police and the administration was a mute spectator. Their loyalty to the political masters was writ large.
District Magistrate RN Srivastava spelt out the policy of State Government with respect to disputed structure and the Karseva on the 6th of December. In his own words “we were told the karseva would be peaceful and Karsevaks would not violate any court order, but the administration should be prepared to see and ensure that no damage is done to disputed structure”
There was a mixed reaction, amongst the leadership of the movement. L.K. Advani and other more sober leaders were taken aback by the demolition. L.K. Advani expressed his reaction in the following words, “ I feel proud about my participation in the movement though with respect of incident of the 6thDecember, 1992, VHP and RSS leaders present with me signed the statement describing the demolition as unfortunate. I described myself as dejected and down cast on that day”.
Sadhvi Ritambra, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti, Paramhans Ram Chander Das, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Sakashiji Maharaj, Acharya Dharminder Dev, Swami Chinmayanad, Mahant Avaidyanath, Praveen Tagodia etc were not only jubilant claiming it to be their success but were into ecstasy along with their followers. Religious leaders were openly jubilant during and after the process of demolition. Their excitement and joy was shared by the Karsevaks present.
Kalyan Singh’s reaction was, “It was like a badly inflated balloon which burst. All other political parties, particularly Center are to be blamed for frustration of Karsevaks, who forced them to go desperate. They should arrest me because after all, I fulfilled one of the major objectives of out party and have redeemed the party’s election manifesto.”
It is an open secret that the leadership of RSS or BJP asserted that the political gains achieved by BJP. In the process of demolition of the disputed structure, particularly consolidating the Hindus should not be wasted. If should be assimilated and converged into the votes of BJP or of the political parties reputed to be as the protectors of Hindus.
The Chief Minister was intentionally and inexplicably complacent even in these circumstances. He informed and assured the Home Minister of India that he would verify and deal with the matter, when the entire word was physically seeing what was happening at the disputed site, apart from he being informed for minute happening by his administration , media and his loyalist Karsevaks or BJP workers.
It was between 3.30 pm and 4 pm when the communal frenzy broke out in the town of Ayodhya. Houses of the Muslims were put on fire. The DGP again opined that the situation could not be controlled without resorting to firing and requested for permission from the Chief Minister. The same request was repeated to the Chief Secretary. DGP, District Magistrate and SSP at 5:35 pmwere informed that the order of the Chief Minister not to act will not be tenable in view their statutory responsibility.
A cabinet meeting was called and President’s Rule imposed in the state at 6:30 p.m. The President of India signed the proclamation of the imposition of President’s Rule at 9.30 p.m. About two lakhs Karsevaks in militant and aggressive mood were present in the complex at the time.
Chief Minister Kalyan Singh announced at 6.45pm that he had resigned. The Central Government on the other hand claimed that the Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was dismissed.
The construction of a temporary make-shift temple commenced at about7.30pm through Karseva.
Source: Liberhan Commission Report
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