India Today, December 31, 1992.

Advani's speeches on December 4 and 5 (run-up to Ayodhya), during his final yatra to Ayodhya that "the kar seva would be performed no matter which way the impending court judgement went." During his yatra through Uttar Pradesh, Advani clearly stated to the 10,000-strong crowd at his December 1 public meeting in Varanasi that "the kar seva would be performed with 'bricks and shovels'. (later denied that statement in Parliament.

Times of India, January 30, 1993:

"If the Muslims of the country identify themselves with the concept of 'Hindutva', there would not be any reasons for riots to take place," senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said in a special issue of the RSS' Hindi periodical Panchajaanya. "The acceptance of 'Hindutva' by Muslims would have an impact on the psychology that leads to riots and disturbances would not take place on the slightest of pretexts." Claiming that India is a Hindu rashtra, Advani wrote that those residing in the country are Hindus even if many of them believed in different religions. He extended this contention to state that those following Islam were Mohammedi Hindus. Likewise, in his perception, Christians living in this country were Christian Hindus while Sikhs were Sikh Hindus. "Similarly someone is a 'sanatani' Hindu while the other is an 'Arya Samaji Hindu.' It would be better if such a formulation came to be accepted. As part of the same concept, I consider this country to be a Hindu rashtra... If the ordinary Muslims do not accept the concept of Hindu rashtra he would like to tell the community that there was no difference in the three terms: Hindu rashtra, Bharatiya rashtra and Indian nation. If the attempt was to undermine the basic Hindu nature of the country by using the term 'Indian nation', such an attempt was wrong, said Advani in the article. The basic ethos of the country could only be described as 'Hindu' he claimed.

Compiled by Teesta Setalvad Editor, Communalism Combat