JEDDAH: The All-India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) is getting support from unexpected quarters in its fight for the mosque demolished by Hindu zealots on Dec. 6, 1992, said Zafaryab Jilani.
“I’m surprised but happy that several Hindu archeologists, historians and leaders have supported us immensely in our fight for Babri Masjid’s title,” said Jilani, who is the convener of the AIBMAC and the main lawyer in the case. Speaking in a seminar here, Jilani expressed confidence that the case will be decided in favor of the Muslim community by the end of this year following the completion of his argument. Now only the lawyers of the Ram Janmabhumi side need to put forward their arguments before the special bench of the high court.
“The Babri Masjid case is in the final stages and we hope that the decision would be in our favor by the end of 2009. All evidences in the case, whether historical, archeological or administrative are in our favor. I have full faith in the judicial system and I’m sure a fair judgment would be pronounced soon,” Jilani said.
Before shedding light on the present status of the Babri Masjid case Jilani also talked about the post-election scenario in India. He said that Muslim voters are mature enough and no party can ignore their collective strength.
“In fact they decide which party will sit in Delhi Darbar and rule the country. The caste-based provincial parties as well as the Congress party depend on the mood of Muslim voters,” he said. This was evident in the recent Lok Sabha election, as they boosted Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the first time since the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Jilani said there was a sense of despair when Justice O.P. Srivastava retired. But then Justice Sudhir Agarwal joined the bench and from the very beginning set about expediting the hearing. This is the basis on which we believe that the case might be decided by the end of this year. The other speakers at the seminar were Syed Faisal Ali and Dr. Syed Sami Ahmad. Zabihullah Khan of the Al-Ittihad Foundation read Syed Tausief Ausaf’s article. Tausief in his article said, “As the Indian voter is getting politically mature, saffron tactics to cash in on communal issues are failing.
“The majority of the Hindus have given their verdict for the second time against the divisive forces. They have understood that the temple is a nonissue. Indian Muslims have faith in the Supreme Court, which has time and again restored people’s confidence in the judiciary,” Tausief said.
Syed Faisal Ali, in his speech analyzed the present political situation in India and the role and status of the Muslim community in the country. He lamented that the number of Muslim MPs are decreasing in every Parliament with their number down to 30 in the new House. Muslims should have at least 62 MPs in a 543-member house in proportion with their population.
Speaking about the outcome of the Sachar Commission’s recommendations, Faisal said that as of now the government has used the report for its political gains. Barring a few small sops, nothing substantial has been done for the uplift of the community. Faisal also demanded for proportionate representation of Muslims in all spheres of life including police, paramilitary forces, army and the judiciary.
Dr. Syed Sami Ahmad, in his brief but informative article highlighted the role of the mosques in the Islamic civilization. He said, “They can be called as a nerve center of the Muslims society.”
Siadat Ali Khan of Khak-e-Taiba Trust conducted the event. Qari Muhammad Alim recited the verses of the Holy Qur’an and Ahmad Raza Hashmi recited the Naat.
In the Babri Masjid Mushaira, Indian poets Tabish Mehdi, Syed Ehsan Bastawi and Pakistani poets Amjad Balooch, Sarshar Siddiqui and Dr. Khursheed Rizvi sent their compositions. Local poets Gule Anwar, Zamurrad Khan Saifee, Mohsin Alwi, Tahir Jameel, Nayeem Bazidpuri, Muhammad Mujahid Syed and Naseem-e-Sehar recited their poems. Amir Khursheed compered the mushaira.
