Prof. M. K. Bhat
Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir decision not only strengthened the faith of People in the judicial system of the country but it also depicted their patience ,inclusiveness and Nation first feeling(PIN) .It once again confirmed that India wants solution to its problems rather than accepting the policy of Latkana’ Atkana and Bhatkana in Prime ministers own words. This dispute swallowed many governments, shaped the business of many political players, gave birth to new governments /politicians, provided a fertile ground for pseudo secularism/communal politics etc Many things got attached with it over the time period and everyone tried to interpret/use it as per his or her own convenience. This dispute of 500 years had grown beyond proportions but thanks to the supreme court of the country for hearing it patiently from all the stake holders. Today, people of India feel proud of their supreme court for limiting the imprint of this dispute from passing to the coming generations by hearing it on daily bases. There were attempts to delay the process but the court remained determined to pass the judgment for which it earned Kudos from every citizen of the country. The Supreme Court overruled Allahabad high court and gave a bold verdict by invoking article142.
The historical unanimous decision by the Honorable Supreme Court of India on Ram Janam Bhoomi/Babri Masjid case, after nearly 130 years of court proceedings has given a new confidence to people about the maturity of India as a vibrant nation. The remarkable decision was an outcome of the faith 1.3 billion people reposed in the Supreme Court and is likely to close the shop of those who reaped a good business/status due to this dispute. The court has emphatically tried to balance the judgment by taking a good consideration of all the stake holders .It came out with 5 acres for Mosque as justice for demolition of their structure and further held that the court can’t rectify the historical wrongs thereby rejected the demand of Mathura and Kashi. It in other words gave a message that enough is enough we must go ahead rather than getting stuck with the religious atrocities committed in the past. The court also held that the installation of Ram Lalla in 1949 and demolition of the structure in 1992 as unlawful. It further negated the Hindu argument that the mosque was built after the demolition of temple. Hindu faction was given the disputed land and the government was instructed to make a Trust for the construction of the temple.
People of India accepted this verdict with utmost humility and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the country except a few utterings by certain political leaders like Asaddudin Owaisi of MIM .The people clearly understand their political ambitions and least bother for them .However it may be pointed out that the difference of opinion against the judgment is the legitimate right of the aggrieved party and no one shall have objection to it. Any objection to the opinion of any citizen of the country is in itself intolerance and has been used by all the political classes for its own purpose over the years.
Certain people used it as a ladder to reach the citadel of powers while as others created fear for votes. Whatever be the case it cannot be denied that this dispute stood as a wall between the two big communities of the country. It seems that this remarkable decision in many perspectives will make a way for new India and may end the era of hate politics in the country. The humble acceptance of this decision by people not only conveyed the maturity of Indians but also shut the mouth of those who left no stone unturned to malign the reputation of India as a intolerant country. It has made political narration of appeasement and majoritarianism irrelevant. People want to waste no time on such things rather they feel enough is enough. They want economic development for a good living.
The magnanimity shown by people in accepting the verdict with an open mind in itself talks a lot about their love for coexistence .The Muslims need to be given Kudos for showing respect for the law of the land despite provocation from both inside and outside India. There was complete solidarity for peace to prevail. The beauty of the case was that Muslim litigant and the Hindu litigant had never ill relations with each other. They as per certain reports pursued the case by going to court together on the same Rickshaw.
The outcome of the verdict was visible in three unique manifestations : Firstly, there is not a single case in the world history where majority waited for so long and fought through legal setup for the birth place of their prophet. It says tolerance is in the DNA of India .Indians always hold every religion of the world in high esteem and even nurtured some of them when they were persecuted in their land of origin. The western world can get a lesson of tolerance from this example rather than comment on India’s intolerance without being correct.
Muslims refuted all those who were making propaganda of intolerance against them by majority.They responded by reposing faith in the judicial system with utmost patience. It is no doubt that many governments were formed and deformed on Ayodhiya plank, many Kar Sevaks were killed and much energy was wasted over the years on this issue but people of Ayodhya have shown their Faith in Ganga Jumana culture. Their welcome to the verdict has given a big message to the country and world.
Secondly, the prime minister rightly said it must lead to inclusiveness; no one shall remain behind in enjoying the growth of the country. The verdict strengthened the inter- religious faith of the two communities and may make more inclusiveness, which is the essence of any civilized society. Muslims and Hindus work together with equal confidence for the country so there should be no place for mistrust. This will be a befitting answer to all those inside or outside the country who want divide and rule policy. Our social fabric is the same. India belongs to every Indian and things shall get solved amicably without any acrimony. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere, so inclusiveness is only answer to such problems.
Thirdly, after the verdict every Indian has conveyed to the world that ‘Nation first’ lives in the heart of every Indian. They depicted this by controlling their sentiments and giving preference to the Judgment over personal likings or disliking. The prime minister rightly said Na Ram Bhakat Jeeta , Na Raheem Bhakat Jeeta , Jeeta to Bharat Bhakat. Religion and other things are secondary and India is primary.
It will be prudent if both the parties rise to the occasion and work together for the construction of worship sites. This will send a good message in the country and world at large.
We have ourselves to solve our problems, no one from outside will come to solve it .We shall resolve, what type of India we want to give to our future generations.
(The author isDirector (M.A.I.M.S) Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi)
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