JEDDAH: Muslims do not expect any action against those behind the Babri Masjid demolition but are hopeful of a favorable judgment in the suit for the land over which the mosque was built in Ayodhya, about 650 km from New Delhi, said the head of an umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations.
Zafarul Islam Khan, president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, said the fact that the Liberhan Commission, which investigated the Babri Masjid demolition for 17 years, absolved then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao reflects the intentions of India’s present Congress government.
Rao is generally seen as culpable for his omissions, as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the fanatic Hindu Sangh Parivar ran riot in demolishing the Mogul-built mosque on Dec. 6, 1992. The commission has indicted the leaders of the BJP and its associates.
“The government is not going to take action against anyone despite presenting the report in Parliament,” said Khan who was in Saudi Arabia to attend the distribution ceremony of the Naif International Prize for Outstanding Works on Sunnah and Islamic Studies held in Madinah on Dec. 25. He left for Cairo for the planned Gaza march on Thursday.
Khan said court cases against the accused in the Babri demolition have not moved “an inch” since they were registered 17 years ago. But he was hopeful of a favorable judgment in the title suit for the land over which the mosque was built. This case, a class action between Hindus and Muslims, has been in the courts for the last 60 years. It is in the final stage in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court and a judgment is expected within a year.
Khan was doubtful whether the land would revert to Muslims even if the judgment is in their favor, but said Majlis-e-Mushawarat’s stand was very clear: Whatever the judgment, it would be acceptable to Muslims.
“But certain Hindu organizations have already declared that they would accept the judgment only if it is in their favor,” he said.
Khan said the best course for Muslims would be to follow the legal process while ruling out another round of agitation on the issue. “We still have the option of going to the Supreme Court.”
Khan, a well-known journalist, edits the Milli Gazette, a fortnightly newspaper published from New Delhi since 2001. It is known for its extensive coverage of Muslim issues as well as violation of human rights and injustices against Dalits and other weak sections in society.
Asked if he faces any pressure from the Indian government or the police in his journalistic work, Khan said the only pressure that he faces is from the fanatic Hindu groups known as Hindutva forces. The government, the police or any official body has never interfered in his work.
“After all, ours is a secular country. We follow democracy and we follow the rule of law. Our courts are free. Perhaps this is the reason why Indian Muslims have not turned toward terrorism despite all sorts of provocations. The freedom to speak and express ourselves works as a safety valve. As long as this valve is functioning we need not worry,” he said.
