Parties deliberate ahead of HC order
The controversial Ayodhya issue is all set to dominate the national discourse, once again, very soon as a special bench of the Allahabad high court is to deliver a verdict over the ownership of a disputed land in Ayodhya to which Hindus and Muslims have made rival claims for over a century.
Key political players notably the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are seized of the likely fall-out of the verdict. The Congress core-group recently deliberated the issue in detail.
More than the political parties it is the RSS, VHP and the Babri Masjid Action Committee that are more anxious about the verdict. The Congress and the BJP are playing the cards very close to their chest as the verdict could have a huge impact on the political scenario of the country. Refusing to get drawn into commenting on the issue, the congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “It is not only foolish but indeed irresponsible to speak on any judgment before delivery and especially on so sensitive an issue like Ayodhya, we as a responsible political party and responsible citizen should not allow surcharged atmosphere and potential divisiveness even before the judgement is delivered.”
The BJP which built its political base on the Ayodhya controversy was also guarded in its official comment.
“As far as we are concerned, we believe that the matter of faith that Ram was born there, is not a BJP or RSS perception, but a perception across India and across all sections of society. Everyone would definitely like to see how court interprets this, the BJP has always said that the nation has to solve sensitive issues by taking everyone on board. Let us wait for the court verdict,” BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said.
But privately some in the BJP are hoping to reap political benefits out of the anticipated verdict.
Vinay Katiyar, a hard-liner within the BJP said, “A mosque never existed there (in Ayodhya). This is a futile debate. This country and followers of Ram will never accept it (a court verdict that there was mosque). Lord Ram was worshipped there, is worshipped there and will be worshipped there. Nobody can remove Ram from Ayodhya.”
Sensing that trouble is on the way, the All-India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) has called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure an out-of-court settlement.
The Mayawati government too has sought additional security forces to deal with any untoward incidents in the aftermath of the verdict.
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