Title: That decision of VHP has hamstrung Babri supporters
Author: Muzaffer Hussain
Publication: Mumbai Tarun Bharat (Marathi Daily)
Date: Mar 22, 2002 
URL: Translated. No URL Available

On request by the Government, Rammandir Nirman Nyas (Trust for Erection of Ram Temple) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad gave one more proof of Hindu tradition and culture of tolerance by accepting the verdict of the SC regarding Shiladaan. It is not difficult to guess what would have happened if the Nyas, VHP and organisations connected with the Rammandir movement had not accepted this verdict. On 15th March, Shiladaan ceremony was accomplished without any opposition and by that once again it is confirmed that Hindus are an understanding and considerate society.

Some people will think at the face of it that it is a defeat of the supporters of Rammandir. But it will have to be conceded that this is an extremely mature and far reaching decision. Things went as required by the Government and Babri supporters. Accepting the verdict of SC does not mean that no preparations should be made for the Ram Mandir. President of the Nyas Shri Paramhans Ramchandra Das and VHP were convinced from the first that their side was strong. Hence nobody can stop them from erecting the Mandir. They were apprehensive of incurring any contempt of court just as it happened in the case of Shaha Bano episode or Sardar Sarovar, by the supporters of Sharia and Arundhati Roy respectively. But they accepted the verdict of the court and honoured the people’s wishes.

On the issue of Ram Mandir, efforts have been made a number of times to reach an amicable solution. But Muslims did not show any consideration. On this tendency, Maulana Abul Kalam and Sarhadd Gandhi Abdul Gaffarkhan had expressed their disappointment. Their argument was that Muslims would have got double of whatever they gained by conflict and quarrel. They were opposed to Gandhiji and they even did not agree with the British who were in favour of partition. After partition Pakistan entered into many agreements with many countries. But it kicked the agreements made with India at Tashkent, Simla and Lahore. On the contrary, soon after the agreements, war took place. The nature of Muslims in undivided India continued to be same after partition. In even independent and democratic India, they always had quarrels with the majority on levels of law, education or culture.

There was going to be an agreement between Israel and Palestine, but Clinton’s tour made all efforts vain. The experience till today is that Muslim rulers have never observed the agreements entered into on national and international level. Every time, they have preferred the way of conflict. This nature of theirs is seen on national level. The Muslims who have opposed the Islamic rulers have been accusing the rulers ‘Not to be pure Muslims" 

Their permanent nature of internal struggle and fights in Kabilas is still going on. From their behaviour, it appears as if they are still the same people from Arabia of 1400 A.D. That is why most of the Muslim Governments in the world are not stable.

Subsequent to the dispute on Ramjanmabhoomi, a number of agreements were proposed to them. But they never gave consent to any of them. If, some group will give consent on one proposal, it will definitely be rejected by the other. It is therefore difficult that there will be ‘unity’ among Muslims. This time, they preferred the way of judiciary to avoid conflict.

By Nyas accepting the verdict of the SC, there was a scare among the Babri Masjid fighters. Because, the pretence they were using to put this issue in cold storage, is going to be decided today or tomorrow. Babri Masjid Action Committee has always been repeating that there was no Mandir on the disputed land but they never emphasised that there was a Babri Masjid. The wind of their sails has gone out since the Hindus have accepted the Court’s verdict. Because, Shahi Imam and Shahabuddin have almost vowed that the verdict of the Court against Muslims will not be accepted by them. Courts will seriously think over their behaviour and will duly punish them for contempt of court. If Hindus had not accepted the verdict of the court, the matter would have been different. But now the Muslims always humiliating court verdict have got themselves completely into a trap.

Ramjanmabhoomi supporters have been constantly demanding that the Court should give the decision on the disputed land as early as possible. But the supporters have not made any such demand. It is something like the true mother asking to decide on the control of the child as early as possible, whereas the pretending mother trying to avoid the decision.

Government’s request to hold the hearings on daily basis has been accepted by the Allahabad Court. More than 100 depositions of witnesses have been so far recorded. To think over on all these depositions is also a work of delay. Then this case will go to Supreme Court. Till that time, there will be many changes. Present Government may go and another may come. But it is difficult to predict that that Government will resolve this issue quickly. For every Government coming to power, this issue will prove to be a headache. Because, no Government cannot put aside the wishes of the majority for the votes of minority. However, if both parties agree to honour the verdict of the court, there is no dispute left.

On the basis of the available evidence, verdict on Ramjanmabhoomi will go in favour of Hindus. If minorities do not accept this verdict and take to streets, there will be riots again and it is certain that the Government will not be able to contain them. If for any reason, the verdict goes in favour of BMAC, then it will be unavoidable for the Government to erect the Masjid there. Till the construction of Masjid is over, the work will have in the full protection of the Military and Police. For some time, permission will have to be granted to offer Namaz there also. But for how much time will this work? Because, no Government can give anybody permanent protection. If this protection cannot be given and if it is removed, it will be difficult situation for those who would want to offer Namaz there. In such a situation, the Government will counsel to resolve the dispute peacefully. So far suggestions have been made time and again to resolve it peacefully. After the verdict the same line will be sung again. But at that time, both sides will be full of bitterness against each other. Then again there will be dispute on the newly erected Masjid and the story will continue from the last page again. From the point of view of BMAC and the Government, court’s permanent decision will be useful to avoid dispute. But it is certain that that will not a permanent solution. More the delay in resolving this issue, more terrible will be its nature.