They have warned of ‘social and political fallout of this decision’ which could ‘turn out to be quite unpleasant’
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Seven Muslim organisations including All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat have expressed concern over a recent verdict of a court in Banaras recommending survey of Gyanvapi Mosque site by the Archaeological Survey of India.
“This is quite surprising, disconcerting and raises a lot of questions,” said a joint statement issued by them on Saturday. They have referred to the Places of Worship (Special Provision) Act, 1991 that deals with places of worship in the country. According to the Act, they said, “the status of the places of worship that existed in 1947 would remain that way (and no changes therein would be envisaged). With the existence of this law, the recommendation by a fast-track court of Banaras to conduct a survey of the precincts of the mosque is quite bewildering and goes against the 1991 law.”
They have warned of the “social and political fallout of this decision”, which, they said, could “turn out to be quite unpleasant”.
The politics of hate and communal disharmony may receive a fillip because of it, they maintained.
The statement further says that any scheming and plotting with regards to places of worship should be construed to be against the nation and national interests. All conspiracies against this law should be dealt with strictly by the judiciary and all the institutions of the government.
“We appeal to all peace-loving citizens of this country and those who value democracy, along with the ones who believe in the supremacy of the Constitution of India, to raise their voice against these trends and tendencies. They must defend the laws and the spirit of those laws that protect the places of worship.”
The Muslim organisations have also extended their support to the Gyanvapi Masjid Committee which has challenged the Banaras court ruling.
“We appeal to the Muslim community to honour the advice, guidance and directions by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) regarding the ‘Gyanvyapi Masjid Benaras’. They must control their emotions and work to deprive anti-social and communal forces out to take advantage of the unfortunate judgement of the lower court,” said the statement.
The joint statement has been issued in the name of Navaid Hamid, President, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat; Syed Sadatullah Hussaini, Ameer, Jamat-e-Islami Hind; Dr. Manzoor Alam, Secretary General, All India Milli Council; Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salfi, Ameer, Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind; Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, Chairman, Ittehad-e-Millat Council; Adv. Feroz Ahmed, President, All India Momin Conference; and Ziauddin Nayyar, President, All India Tameer-e-Millat, Hyderabad.
