Rashtriya Janata Dal president and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Sunday appealed to the Liberhan Commission to summon two journalists of Time magazine for their version of the events leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
"The two journalists from the New York-based Time magazine, disguised as kar sewaks, witnessed the role of (Leader of Opposition) L K Advani, Uma Bharti and others in the demolition and got it published in the magazine's issue dated December 21, 1992.
"It is the responsibility of the commission to invite them as 'vital witness'," he told a press conference at Rail Bhawan in Delhi.
The journalists he is referring to are Anita Pratap and Jefferson K.
He said former deputy prime minister Advani, who denied any role in the demolition, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti and others allegedly involved in the case should also be called afresh before the commission, which is probing the conspiracy angle of the demolition.
Displaying the copy of the magazine, Prasad said that the probe commission should summon them to 'reveal' the truth behind the demolition.
Reiterating his allegation that Advani was an 'absconder' in the Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah murder case, he said, "There were six accused, including Advani, in the Jinnah murder case, the trial for which were held in a Lahore court. All of them became absconders. Advani must clarify his position."
Though the RJD chief had raised the issue a week ago at a press conference in Patna, the former deputy prime minister is yet to respond.
The minister sidestepped questions on the Left Parties opposing inclusion of World Bank and Asian Development Bank representatives in the Planning Commission's decision making process and said the best talent 'within the country and outside' should be utilised for the development of India.
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