AYODHYA VERDICT AND AFTER

To the relief of entire nation, pronouncement of Ram Janmabhumi- Babri Masjid dispute passed off peacefully. Though I, as a citizen of India perhaps due to an intuition didn't have any concern over the repercussions after the verdict, whether some other citizens also entertained such an intuition I don't know - in anticipation of any law and order situation after the verdict was declared, the Central govt as well as State govts did take precautionary measures if and when such an eventually broke out. Suspected elements numbering about 7000 were reportedly rounded up and put under custody two to three days before the pronouncement of the verdict. Our Home Minister P.Chidambaram even went to the extent of making tall claims related to the issue that due to a vigilant security coverage around the nation nothing untoward took place, yes, precautionary measures are always good and essential, admit, but berating the tolerance and maturity of our citizens, be they Hindu or Muslim is something deplorable. Even weeks ago, the appeals of our Prime Minister Dr. ManMohan Singh and Chief Ministers of their respective States appeared in print media as also their appeals through visual media. If such a vigilance was always there many a law and order problem, terror strikes causing blood-shed could have been avoided, unfortunately when situations warrant most our leaders 'go for pilgrimmages'.
The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhumi issue lost much of its vehemency and poignancy since a few years, perhaps, that was one of the reasons behind my confidence that not much of a problem would arise. Add to this is our citizens have attained maturity and come of age on various matters plaguing our nation in course of time.
Though Allahabad High Court could pronounce an exemplary verdict, exemplary in the sense that the three honourable judges D.V.Sharma (since retired) S.U.Khan and Subir Agarwal kept the overall satisfaction of Hindus and Muslims . They ordered division of the disputed structure into three parts and according to the study conducted by them remnants of a temple were very much there even before the mosque supposedly built by Mughal Emperor Babar in 1528. Hence one third of the disputed structure to Muslims and two thrids to Hindus were ordered to be distributed. As one of the honorable judges S.U.Khan pointed out they were actually taking a risk as the most important thing weighing in their minds was to find a lasting solution to a dispute existing between two communities since centuries thus paving the way for a peaceful worship of their respective Gods, Ram and Allah.
But unfortuantely such a verdict was not to the satisfaction of Sunni Wakf Board, Ram Janmabhumi Trust and Nirmohi Akhara and these parties are busy making preparations for filing appeals before the Highest Court of the land - Supreme Court of India.
On the whole, a satisfactory verdict to Sangh Parivar and one of its primary wings BJP, the principal opposition party. But the minor ones in the Sangh Parivar is not happy hence pondering over filing an appeal.
Perhaps the SC could prevail upon both contending parties and persuade them to accept a compromise formula put forward by the honourable court.
Three months time allowed to maintain the status quo ante by the High Court till then no one will be allowed operate the verdict.
Differences over the verdict have started to rise especailly by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Chief Minister of UP. The wily leader is bent upon reaping political capital out of the verdict and nothing elese is his intention. He is believed to be one of the chief patrons of Muslim community of Uttar Pradesh, his eyes certainly on the Muslim vote-banks. 'Moulavi Mulayam' as he was once fondly called by the community once, that much bonhomie existed between him and the Muslim Community.
Later his opportunism came to the fore when he admitted Kalyan Singh's party to ally with him during election time - Kalyan Singh as every one knows is a bete noire of Muslim community and despite their staunch protests Mulayam stuck to his decision and when the election results came pouring in his party got badly mauled. His alliance with Kalyan Singh's party whose antipathy towards Muslims was very evident especially when Babri Masjid was reduced to a heap of rubble by the Hindu fanatics, he was the Chief Minister of UP then and one of the prominent leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party. Actually Mulayam by befriending Kalayan Singh was thinking in terms of attracting the Dalits and Kalyan Singh being a dalit himself.
A few of our prominent historians reportedly are not much 'enamoured' of the verdict the reason however is nothing to do with politics. Romila Thapar, one of India's respected historians has castigated the verdict and has charged that historical truths got annuelled and replaced by religious faiths. There must be, yes must be substance in her arguments but more than as a learned historian it would be better if she could take into account the need for an overall peaceful atmosphere to prevail. There must be other historians also thinking on her lines. As the honourable judges pointed out the essential factor weighed in their minds was to arrive at a lasting solution to the satisfaction of all parties involved if not in its entirety.