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Liberhan Commission Unveils 1,900-Page Report on Babri Masjid Demolition

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 1:47 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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The Liberhan Commission and the Babri Masjid Case: A 500‑Word Retrospective on India’s Longest‑Running Inquiry

The demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992 was a watershed moment in modern Indian history. It sparked riots that claimed more than 2,000 lives, polarized the nation, and reshaped the political landscape for decades. In an effort to assign accountability, Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao formed the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry in 1993. The commission’s report—delivered on 7 July 2005—remains the most exhaustive legal examination of the events that led to the mosque’s destruction and the political fallout that followed. This article distills the key elements of the commission’s findings, the political context that framed them, and the long‑term repercussions that continue to reverberate in contemporary Indian politics.

1. Genesis of the Liberhan Commission

The Liberhan Commission was named after its chairperson, Justice (Retd.) H. R. Liberhan, who had served as a judge in the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court. The commission was constituted under the Public Interest Litigation framework, with a mandate to investigate the causes and circumstances of the Babri Masjid demolition and to recommend measures to ensure that such an incident never recurred.

Why an inquiry?
After the demolition, the central government had already begun a C.I.B. investigation. However, the Supreme Court’s S. R. Joshi judgment in 1993 had highlighted the limitations of a police‑based inquiry. The Liberhan Commission was therefore seen as a more exhaustive and politically neutral body capable of probing the wider ecosystem that allowed the demolition to take place.

2. Commission Findings – A 23‑Part Report

The commission’s final report was 1,900 pages long, comprising 23 parts that addressed everything from the historical background of the Ayodhya site to the political calculations of the key actors. Key conclusions included:

A particularly contentious recommendation was that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) be banned for “sustained violations of constitutional norms.” While the report acknowledged the political significance of the event, it also underscored that no single individual bore sole responsibility—rather, it was a collective failure.

3. Political Fallout and the “Poverty of the Commission”

The report’s release was met with mixed reactions:

1. BJP’s Response – The party denounced the report as biased and “politically motivated.” It argued that the commission had failed to investigate congressional elements that may have been complicit.

2. Congress and Left Parties – These groups welcomed the report but criticized its lack of depth on the law‑enforcement failures. Some even called for renewed CBI investigations.

3. Supreme Court and Judicial Bodies – While the court praised the commission’s thoroughness, it noted that execution—particularly the implementation of recommendations—remained problematic.

4. Muslim Community – The Shia and Sunni leaders expressed disappointment at the lack of accountability for the demolition itself. They demanded a full, transparent inquiry that would punish the perpetrators and redress the damage done.

4. Legacy: The 2019 Supreme Court Verdict and the Ayodhya Land Decree

The Liberhan Commission’s work laid the groundwork for subsequent legal battles. In 2019, the Supreme Court, after a protracted deliberation, awarded the disputed site to the Ram Temple project while allocating a piece of land for a mosque. The court’s judgment incorporated elements of the Liberhan report, especially the section on constitutional rights and religious harmony.

The 2019 verdict was celebrated by Hindutva supporters but criticized by many Muslim leaders and human rights activists, who argued that the political calculus still favored the BJP narrative.

5. Key Takeaways for Contemporary Politics

6. Final Reflections

The Liberhan Commission remains a landmark in Indian legal history—not only for its length and depth but also for its political impact. While it did not single out one party or individual for blame, it did underscore how a collusion of political ambition, institutional weakness, and societal polarization can culminate in a national crisis.

The report’s legacy is a reminder that accountability and justice are dynamic processes that extend far beyond the mere filing of documents. They demand ongoing scrutiny, transparent implementation of recommendations, and a sustained commitment to constitutional values.

For a nation still grappling with identity politics and religious tensions, the lessons of the Liberhan Commission resonate more than ever. They serve as a cautionary tale that even the most powerful institutions—political parties, the judiciary, and law enforcement—must remain accountable to the rule of law and the ideals of a pluralistic democracy.