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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Monday asserted that it is the constitutional duty of the government to abide by the court verdict in the Ayodhya dispute, even as the opposition pulled up the government for its failure to protect the disputed site.
Participating in a special discussion on Ayodhya in the Lok Sabha, the home minister said the government is not insisting on a uniform civil code because it is not a part of the National Democratic Alliance's common minimum programme.
He said that although he regarded the Ayodhya movement as a shreshtha andolan (a good campaign), the demolition of the Babri mosque on December 6, 1992 was "the saddest day" his life.
He pointed out that as the receiver in the Ayodhya dispute, it is the constitutional duty of the government to ensure that the status quo is maintained and that no additions or alterations are made to the disputed structure.
"The government will not shy away from this responsibility," Advani said.
He said he had instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate action against those who had stormed the disputed site on October 17 this year.
Ramjilal Suman of the Samajwadi Party interrupted the home minister and said the UP government is silent even as the Sangh Parivar is threatening to build a temple at the disputed site before the March 12, 2002 deadline.
Priyaranjan Dasmunshi of the Congress said the minister must reply to his query as to why the violation of the status quo on October 17 was treated as a non-cognisable offence.
However, Speaker G M C Balyogi said the home minister had already answered the question and adjourned the House for the day.
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