Former deputy prime minister L.K. Advani said he chanted "Jai Shri Ram" moments after a special CBI court, hearing the Babri mosque demolition case of December 6, 1992, acquitted all the 32 accused in a verdict announced today.
"It is a moment of happiness for all of us, we chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' after the court's verdict," said Advani, who along with former Union ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and ex-Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chief of the Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas and chairman of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and Shiv Sena leader Satish Pradhan were exempted from personal appearance in the court.
"The judgment vindicates my personal and BJP's belief and commitment towards the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. I am grateful to my party workers, leaders, saints, and all those through selfless involvement and sacrifices gave me strength and support during the Ayodhya movement," Advani, who spearheaded the Ayodhya movement, said in a statement.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the acquittal of all accused in the 28-year-old case, saying that the court verdict proved the maxim 'Satyamev Jayate' or truth prevails.
In a statement, Yogi said that the verdict proved that various Hindu leaders and seers were "falsely implicated" by the then Congress government at the Centre, which was driven by its policy of political appeasement.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress should now "apologise for its deeds" after the court judgment.
The Special CBI court acquitted all the 32 accused saying it was spontaneous and not a planned move.
"Its historic decision by the court. This proves that no conspiracy was hatched for December 6 incident in Ayodhya," said Murli Manohar Joshi.
As soon as the court announced the acquittal of the accused, jubilation broke out outside the court. In Ayodhya and Lucknow, supporters of the leaders celebrated the verdict.
BJP leader and Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi said that the court is absolutely correct in saying that it was spontaneous and not a planned move.
"I was witness to the entire incident of 6th Dec. It was all spontaneous no conspiracy. I was conducting the meeting from dais I was surprised when some Kar Sewaks climbed Babri str.Advaniji was unhappy.सत्यमेव जयते ।#BabriDemolitionCase," he tweeted.
Former BJP MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Ritambhara, who were among the accused present in court, said: "Sabh Ramji ki kripa hai (All is Ram's blessings)".
"All allegations were because of political rivalry. We don't conspire but create mantras. The judgement is welcomed," said Sadhvi Rithambara.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to express his happiness over the verdict.
"I welcome the verdict by Special CBI Court, Lucknow acquitting all 32 accused. It proves that justice triumphed however late it may be," he said..
