Ban sought on politicians holding religious posts

New Delhi: In its Action Taken Report (ATR) submitted in parliament Tuesday along with the Liberhan Commission report on the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid, the government stated that political leaders holding office should not simultaneously hold positions of responsibility in religious organisations.

The authorities' response was to the recommendations of former high court judge M.S. Liberhan that "political leaders, holders of constitutional offices and especially those holding Cabinet positions sometimes simultaneously hold offices in religious organisations".

"The temptation to allow one judgment in one sphere to influence opinions in the other is irresistible and easily leads to dissatisfaction and disenchantment in other sections of the population," said Liberhan in his report.

Recommendation

Emphasising that the events leading to demolition of the Babri mosque in December 1992 had the "disruptive potential of allowing the intermixing of religion and politics", Liberhan called for a law providing for punishment for misusing religion to acquire political power.

"A special separate law providing for exemplary punishment for misuse of religion, caste for political gains or illicit acquisition of political or other power ought to be enacted," his report says.

"Regional tribunals for ensuring swift prosecution and effective implementation of the law ought to be set up in the four corners of the country."

Special courts

In response, the government says in the ATR that it is contemplating a Bill to check communal violence and that the Bill envisages the setting up of special courts. It has also stated that steps would be taken to expedite the three cases pertaining to those responsible for the mosque demolition in the special courts in Lucknow and Rae Bareli.

Liberhan report: 68 held ‘responsible'

The Liberhan Commission that probed the Babri Masjid demolition has held 68 people individually culpable for leading the country "to the brink of communal discord".

The list includes former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi as well as Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

On the list are then Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal and Pravin Togadia, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief K.S. Sudarshan as well as Govindacharya, the late Vijayaraje Scindia, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambara.