Dear Vinay Katiyar,
Today you said that Babri Masjid is not an ordinary issue for the Muslims but a war of egos. You even went on to say that no matter how much the Muslim community tries to create hindrance in the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the temple would be built there, no matter what the cost!
I have written this open letter to tell you that the issue of Babri Masjid is not an ego issue for the Muslims.
To start with, I would like to ask you, how are Muslims blocking your way in building the temple? Isn’t the matter sub judice? How can you ignore the Supreme Court’s direction of resolving the issue peacefully? Are you planning to build the temple against the apex court’s order?
You had recently welcomed the top court’s proposal to mediate on the Ram Temple issue. So, what’s next? Do you think by giving such statements and provoking members of the minority community, you can resolve this issue? Such irresponsible statements from a senior leader of the ruling party, both at the Centre and the state, will only create tensions between the two communities.
Coming to the point, I have to say that you are wrong, sir. Babri Masjid is not—and never was—an ego issue for us. Here’s why:
There was a mosque at that place from the year 1528 to 1949 and there was no dispute over that place. There was a chabutra (platform) outside the Babri Masjid where Ram Lalla idols were placed and Hindus used to worship them there. In 1949, the Ram Lalla idol was allegedly placed inside the mosque. After that, the Babri Masjid was locked up. In 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished and therefore, this entire issue is also related to our faith and not merely an ego issue.
There are seven Ram Mandirs in Ayodhya and it is believed that every mandir claims that Lord Ram was born there. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas, and he too never mentioned about Babri Masjid being constructed over a Ram Mandir. Tulsidas never wrote that Muslims destroyed the Ram temple. You want us to ignore this fact as well?
Leaving all the beliefs and faiths aside, provoking the entire community is wrong. I, as a Muslim residing in Uttar Pradesh, also want a solution for this decade-old issue. But statements such as yours do not seem to be aimed at a solution, rather, at inciting communal feelings. By hurting sentiments of a particular community, how do you think this issue can be resolved?
All I would like to do is urge you to stop playing politics over this issue. Many innocents from both communities have lost their lives and the communal harmony of our country has also been under threat. Whether or not the solution to this issue sees the light of the day, I would, at least, expect senior political leaders like you to work for peace and harmony, instead of dividing Hindus and the Muslims.
Hope you agree with my point and stop targeting the minority community and exploiting such a sensitive issue for political gains.
From
A peace loving UP resident
