The birth city of Ram, Ayodhya, has turned into a fortress with just 4 days to go for the Supreme Court Bench hearing on the deferment plea.Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ayodhya and all major cities to control the situation created by the verdict. The outcome of the hearing will decide the fate of the land which has been the subject of debate for more than half a century now.
The Hindus believe that the land is the birth place of Lord Rama and a temple dedicated to his glory stood there before Babur ordered the sanctum sanctorum to be demolished and a Mosque(Masjid) be built over the rubble.Thus it got its name 'Babri' or the one constructed by the grace of Babur. The 500 year old Mosque witnessed events that changed the course of Indian history over the years. It oversaw the rise and fall of the Mughal and British Empire followed by the World Wars and later the challenges Independent India faced.
The seeds of conflict were sowed in 1946 when the Hindus claimed the site and a full scale debate erupted when in 1949, idols of Ram, Sita and Laksham were installed in the Masjid while the security personnel were asleep. The ensuing fight between the Hindus and the Muslims culminated when lakhs of Karsevaks assembled near the Masjid and Demolished it. In 2003, a survey conducted by the ASI revealed that it had found the ruins of a 14th Century temple where the Masjid once stood.
The place is extremely sacred to the Hindus since it is the birthplace of Lord Ram and it known as the Ram Janmabhoomi. The sentimental value attached to it and the cultural connection induces a feeling of pride in Indians and the zeal of acquiring the land comes from within. I feel that Muslims do not have any religious value attached to the land except for the fact that a mosque once stood their. The founder of their religion or one of the most revered god in their religion was not born on that piece of earth and thus they should 'sacrifice' that land to set an example for the majority to learn and become the epitome of love, harmony and peace in India. I also feel that apart from constructing a grand temple at the Ram Janmbhoomi, a mosque should be constructed in the adjoining area by the Hindus keeping a part of the temple funds to honour what the Muslims have done for them.
Such an example of togetherness and adjustment would increase the trust among Hindus and Muslims and reduce the threat of a future conflict or riots In India. If such a solution can be found, it will instill a sense of victory among both the factions and help the Hindu Majority comprehend that their interests are safe in India.
I hope that what could not be accomplished in the last 18 years is achieved in the coming days and a peaceful solution is either negotiated or a verdict is given which is acceptable to both.
this is possibly the best solution....even i believe that both the parties must compromise
ReplyDeletebecause , a fair deal between them would ensure long term peace within the country
- Manvi Bhatia
(manadgreat@yahoo.co.in)
Thank You so much Manvi :)
ReplyDeleteCoool. That's extremely insightful and the solution very pragmatic, if only both sides are willing to let go of rigidities and compromise just a little. Good work man, keep it going. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I don't know if you know about it or not but a similar thing happened at the place where Lord Krishna was born in Mathura. The temple there was demolished 5-6 times and the last time it was destroyed, it was done by Aurangzeb. He ordered that the material which was used in the temple be used to build a Mosque at the same site. Some ears ago a peaceful solution was sought for the problem and now a Mandir and the Masjid share a common wall. The thing is that as long as both the groups can keep aside their egos and genuinely look for a solution, both the sides can be contended.
ReplyDeletesome years*
ReplyDeleteHmmm. That was interesting! Didnt know all that stuff...
ReplyDeletehopefully we will be able to come to some sort of solution. But i guess its hard to keep everyone happy!
It isnt that Hard Priyanka if we sincerely n whole heartedly try keeping aside our prejudices. All we need is determination :) Let us all be optimistic n stop making up our minds that it's very difficult.
ReplyDeleteWell written, I believe this is the approach that moderates on both sides thought of in the first place but when fanatics step in it's hard to find a compromise, well it would be nice to finally have a solution...
ReplyDeletekeep writing
Cheers
Shubs
ps: can you enable the anonymous profile so that I don't have to sign in if I want to comment....thanks and bises
pss: my name might come as aarushi because that's the pseudonym I had chosen...
Oooohh!! Hahaha!! I was wondering who's Arushi :P
ReplyDeleteAnd well said Didi, this whole problem could've had a speedy solution had the VHP not interfered in this issue. Coming in of fundamentalists does ruin things :(
Well written. I didn't know so much abt the issue.
ReplyDeleteThe solution to such an issue is very sentimental. I agree that Muslims dont have any other connections with the land apart from the mosque, but Vatsal, a mosque is a huge connection itself. Nobody, irrespective of any religion would consider demolition of their religious place.
You have suggested that apart from building a grand temple, a mosque should be constructed too. Do you see the distinction in this statement itself?
Grand temple to honor the place and a small mosque which seems to be as a sort of consolation prize to me.
I may not have the ryt solution to present but this surely is not gonna work with the masses.
Very well written, Vatsal. However I feel that this issue is very delicate and surely the judges must be extremely tactful and deft while handling such a precarious issue. The sentiments of both groups have to be kept in mind while passing such a momentous verdict. In my opinion, instead of involving religious structures which would only invite conflict something neutral like a school could be built where children of both religions could study and contribute towards a secular country.
ReplyDeleteKudos once again for a very balanced perspective on a hypersensitive issue..:)
Very Well written. I agree with you and hope that such a solution can be found. One thing, however, seems certain that the High Court judgement may not be liked by and acceptable to both the opposing parties. The verdict may turn out to be somewhat favorable to one party and unfavorable to the other because of their own reasons.hough the Ayodhya issue is complex and complicated in addition to being sentimental and emotional, it may be possible to find some amicable and mutually acceptable solution. But it will be possible only if the aggrieved parties react softly and peacefully to the High Court verdict and don’t disturb the law and order with sharp and violent reactions.
ReplyDelete@Barq: I think you need to re-read what I've written and stop assuming things that i havn't written. I write grand because it'll be a pilgrimage for people coming from all over India but the mosque will be used by the locals only(the locals dont even require a mosque there but they're opposing a temple because then Ayodhya will become a center for VHP activists. They say they have 5 mosques for a muslim population of 1500.
ReplyDelete@Aayushmaan: Thank you so much. There couldn't have been any solution better than the one you have suggested. A school is the most apt solution to such a problem in a country which suffers from high illiteracy. But, i feel there is a difference in the way urban people think and rural people think. Issues related to religion still matter a lot to them and there's no way they'll agree for the middle path.
@Dhruv: That exactly is the plight of this country that we fail to adjust and give up mud slinging. The Supreme Court just announced that the verdict about the ownership of the land will be given on Thursday. And even before the decision comes, the parties have said that they'll move to the Supreme Court. Now, it has turned into an issue where they are more concerned about their ego and image than the land. Speculations are rife that some places will be hit by riots and police has been deployed to the communally sensitive areas. Let's hope for the best :)
Hi
ReplyDeleteNice title ;)
Well, I consulted Shubhra didi before I started writing this one :) She suggested the title...
ReplyDelete