Former Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] Chief Minister Kalyan Singh [ Images ] on Tuesday admitted to have instructed the district magistrate not to shoot, as it could have led to multiple casualties of Karsevaks.

"Had I directed to shoot, it would have led to thousands of deaths," said Singh on a private channel.

"There were necessary security arrangement for the Babri mosque, but I couldn't save it from demolition," said Singh said.

However, Singh also quipped that former prime minister Indira Gandhi [ Images ] was also assassinated despite security arrangements.