IPS officer testifying against Advani in Babri case denied extension
The government has turned down Uttarakhand cadre IPS officer Anju Gupta's request for permanent employment in the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) on grounds that many joint-secretary level officers in R&AW have recently been granted extension. Gupta, one of the star witnesses in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, had deposed against BJP veteran LK Advani before a special court in 2010. Here's more!
What was the Babri Masjid demolition issue?
In December 1992, several kar sevaks attacked and demolished the Babri Masjid. They claimed that the mosque was built on a Ram temple erected to signify the birthplace of Lord Ram. This triggered Hindu-Muslim violence. BJP leaders like Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi were accused of inciting crowds. Subsequently, this Hindutva fervor helped BJP tremendously to improve its popularity and vote share.
Who is Anju Gupta?
Gupta is a 1990-batch IPS officer of the UP cadre. After UP's bifurcation in 2000, she opted for the Uttarakhand cadre since her husband Shafi Rizvi, 1989-batch IPS officer, did the same. In late 1990s, Gupta heavily cracked down on criminals; for this, she was accorded the Police Medal for meritorious services in 2009. In RAW since 2009, Gupta has also served the UN.
What was Gupta's testimony?
Gupta, who was then posted as Faizabad's Assistant Superintendent of Police and was security in-charge of VVIPs in Ayodhya, deposed that before the mosque was demolished, Advani "looked euphoric, his provocative speech, applauded by his other party colleagues, infused enthusiasm amongst kar sevaks." She alleged that Advani remarked that "mandir will be constructed on the same 2.7 acres" of Babri Masjid land.
