Mulayam Singh Yadav justifies police firing on kar sevaks in 1990

Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday justified his order to open fire on kar sevaks marching towards Ayodhya in 1990, saying if even more people were required to be killed for the country's unity and integrity, the security forces would have done it. He was addressing the SP headquarters where his 79th birthday was celebrated in a grand manner, sending a message that all is well in the party. "Desh ki ekta ke liye aur bhi maarna padta toh suraksha bal maartey (if even more people were required to be killed for the sake of country's unity and integrity, the security forces would have done it)," he said.

SP president Akhilesh Yadav seeks blessings of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav during his 79th birthday celebrations. Pic/PTI

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said 28 people had lost their lives in the police firing at Ayodhya on October 30, 1990. On the VHP's call, a lakh kar sevaks from across the country had assembled in Ayodhya for the construction of a temple at the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri mosque site. The firing had earned him the nickname of 'Mullah Mulayam' by the Muslim community, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the state's population and is considered a force to reckon with by major political parties.

"A number of Muslims had taken up arms saying if their place of worship ceased to exist, then what would remain in the country," he said, justifying his action to save the Babri Masjid. Yadav said that during a discussion with Atal Bihari Vajapyee, the former prime minister had said that 56 persons were killed in Ayodhya. "I had arguments with him. In reality 28 were killed. I came to know the toll six months later and I helped them in my own way," he said.