Do we need a shrine built on dead bodies?

Now it is almost certain that the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir verdict will go beyond Common Wealth Games and that is what I wanted too. In my previous article on the Babri Masjid verdict, I argued that in the interest of Indian pride, keeping in mind an international event is happening in the heart of the country, it is better to defer the judgment. We have waited for decades, can’t we wait a few more days or months in the worst case?

I didn’t know under which provision of which act the Central Government could intervene and request the Allahabad High Court to postpone the judgment but I do wanted the Central Government to intervene somehow and act swiftly. It looks like my prayers have been answered, the government has found an indirect way of requesting the court to defer the judgment through Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, so far an unknown in the Babri suit , by filing a petition in the Allahabad High Court for deferring the judgment to work out an out-of-court amicable settlement of the issue. It is history that the High Court threw away the petition and the matter is in front of Supreme Court to be decided on 28th of this month.

In spite of great efforts by stalwarts like former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao, Indra Kumar Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajapai, nothing could be worked out, then why this unknown Tripathi feels that there could be still avenues for amicable settlement - the answer is any one’s guess. He also feels that law & order could break down if the verdict is given now, if he is linking the law & order break down to CWG, it makes sense, otherwise it is only just a matter of time when the law & order will break down - is it now or at a later date? Central government has brilliantly entered the Supreme Court through the back door. Though not acceptable in a democratic set up, I support this move – it was required considering the huge tasks of maintaining security for CWG, maintaining the law and order situation in the wake of the judgment and all along trying to hold back the eroding prestige of India. Which government will venture into take such a risk? The manmade disaster of CWG has made us to search places to hide out of shame, another disaster in the form of communal violence in the midst of CW games is definitely unwanted and India cannot afford it. The counsel for VHP in the Supreme Court Mr.Ravi Shankar Prasad, who happens to be one of the general secretaries of BJP, on many occasions has hinted, though not directly, that it is the central government which is pushing Mr. Tripathi from behind. If it is in fact the central government behind Tripathi’s move, I fully vouch for this wise decision by a responsible state like India.

Thank you government of India for this kind of a strategy and I sincerely hope that the Supreme Court will read the mind of the government and reciprocate accordingly. The legal luminaries like Shanthi Bhushan and Harish Salve have questioned the technicality of the issue, no doubt technically they are correct that a court should give the verdict without seeing the consequences of the judgment, looking after the law and order issue is the botheration of governments. My question to them is – should courts be insensitive to the two main stake holders of the present scenario, the law & order and Indian pride, while adhering to the rules and regulation. Both the parties to the suit fear that if the verdict is not delivered by 30th September, since one of the three judges of Allahabad High Court retires on 1st October and if the new judge insists, all the exercise will have to be started again from the scratch. Nobody wants this situation, generations have waited eagerly for this moment and delay beyond CWG is definitely is not acceptable for any one. There are many past precedents to come out of this catch, the retiring judge can again be appointed as additional judge as suggested by many legal experts. But according to me, the best solution could be for Supreme Court to issue a direction to the Allahabad High Court to deliver judgment before 30th September but not to make it public till the Supreme Court disposes off the petition for postponement. The sealed judgment can be opened at a later date as soon as Supreme Court clears off the petition. I presume Supreme Court has enough authority to give directions to its subordinate courts on a matter in which both are involved.

Another peculiar situation we are facing now is the singing by VHP and gang in two tunes. They claim that they will respect the High Court verdict but will approach the Supreme Court if the verdict is against them, off course it is anybody’s right to approach higher courts if they feel they are deprived of justice. The other tune, more prominent and louder, the one we heard yesterday from the President of VHP Mr.Ashok Singhal that they will not allow construction of any new masjid in Ayodhya, they want the entire 70 acres of the land. He issued a veiled threat that there will be agitation but non-violent and through democratic means if they lose the case. How far can we trust the assurance by him that the agitation will be non-violent and within democratic means? Had not Kalyan Singh given written assurance in 1992 to the Supreme Court that Babri masjid will be protected and wasn’t Kalyan Singh a mute spectator later on? If the leaders who lead don’t have control over the mob, how they can claim that the movement will be non-violent? Does the statement mean that VHP will accept the court verdict only if it is in their favor? Dear Ashok Singhal, in a democratic set up, please bear in mind that there is no democratic means of agitating against supreme courts. There is only one course of action – that is to accept our Supreme Court verdict, whether it is favorable or not. The verdict may be very hard to digest, verdict may shake the very foundation of our faiths, but Muslims or Hindus, will have to take the verdict with a pinch of salt.

Muslims are generally known to burst out instantaneously should there be anything against them, but in the case of Babri masjid, I whole heartedly appreciate their continued stand that they will abide by the court ruling, ofcourse after recourse to Supreme Court. All India Muslim Personal Law Board and all other Muslim organizations have taken this democratic approach. The media which always portrays in their front pages the negative aspects of Muslims should at least give a box item coverage to this unanimous, healthy approach. The VHP should take a clue from Indian Muslims this time, if they believe in a harmonious co-existence. At the same time, I want to appreciate leaders of both the communities for their call to maintain peace and harmony after the verdict. Earlier I requested my Muslim brothers and sisters to donate the disputed site to Hindus if they win the title, now let me turn to my Hindu brothers and sisters and beg for the sake of humanity – if you lose the verdict, please respect the verdict.

We are waiting for the verdict with fingers crossed, let us be optimistic that peace will be given a chance. Thousands of people have lost their lives, crores of worth properties have been burnt , all in the name of protecting or claiming a place of worship. All we got in return for our effort is a big demarcation line between the two communities, an unbridgeable divide. I am wondering if Muslims win the title and a masjid is built again there, will the Almighty accept my namaz there or if Ram temple is built, would a Hindu’s prayer there be accepted by God? Just thinking – won’t it be a place of worship built on dead carcasses?

Abdulla Madumoole works as a Financial Controller at Zayed Foundation Abu Dhabi, UAE

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