– Shakilur Rahman
New Delhi, Jan. 6: A joint statement to the Media by different Muslim organisations and individuals said, “Attempts to use the proposed Ram temple event in Ayodhya for political purposes are a matter of concern to us. The manner, in which events are being organized across the country in view of the coming general elections and the massive government patronage they are being given, is not only against the country’s secular Constitution but also against the spirit of fair elections.
“We consider it necessary to reiterate our position on this occasion that we are not satisfied with the decision of the Supreme Court on the Babri Masjid. The court has admitted that there is no evidence that the Babri Masjid was built by demolishing a temple and that the act of breaking the lock of the Babri Masjid and placing the idols in it and then demolishing it were criminal acts. But in spite of admitting these things, the court gave the place of the mosque for the construction of a temple by making only faith as the basis,” the statement said.
The joint statement expressed concern that despite the existence of the Religious Places (Special Arrangements) Act, 1991, and the assurance of the Supreme Court in its above judgment regarding the strict implementation of this Act, the courts have been hearing claims on other mosques as well. This attitude can cause harm to the trust of the justice-loving people of the country in the judicial system. In this context, the proposed Ram Mandir ceremonies become controversial and the active participation of the government in it cannot be considered desirable in a secular country.
“With the expression of these facts, we strongly appeal to the Muslims and the people of the country to make every possible effort to maintain peace and order in the country in these circumstances. There may be attempts to incite Muslims. But we should never be disappointed by these conditions and we should not lose our patience.”
“And it should be understood that to improve the communal atmosphere in the country, solving hatred and misunderstandings and clarifying the truth to the people of the country are the real and lasting solution to these problems. And we have to make a serious and continuous effort to implement this solution with patience and persistence. We also appeal that irresponsible statements and expressions on this issue in the media, inappropriate discussions on social media and forwarding of inflammatory videos or contents should be strictly avoided, and the sectarians should not be given any opportunity to exploit the situation,” the statement read.
The signatories to the joint statement are Maulana Mahmood Asad Madni, President, Jamiat Ulma-e-Hind; Er. Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Maulana Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi, President, All India Ulma wa Mashaaekh Board; Maulana Ahmed Wali Faisal Rahmani, Imarat-e-Shariah, Bihar, Odissa and Jharkhand; Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salfi, Ameer, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees; Maulana Tanveer Hashmi, President, Jamaat Ahl-e-Sunnat, Karnataka; Abdussalam Puthige, Editor, Varta Bharati, Mangalore; Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer, General Secretary, Dharmik Janmorcha; Malik Moatasim Khan, Vice-President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, President, Welfare Party of India; Mujtaba Farooq, Aurangabad, Maharashtra; Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Hasni Nadvi, Bengaluru; and Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, Bengaluru.
