It
is highly deplorable that once again BJP as a political wing and VHP
as a religious wing sing in different tunes only to confuse the people.
If it is really true as many guess that it is due to the ongoing UP
polls, we can turn a blind eye to it. Some even guess that it is all
due to those in VHP who try to promote Advani's rise in political
arena and hence they fan up the Mandir issue only to checkmate Vajpayee.
But we can not discard it as a political strategy as VHP has been
talking in harsh tones in the recent past. Also, it is not in the
interest of the Constitution if people start suspecting the sanctity
of Constitution and/or the legal system in the country. The Ayodhya
controversy is before the Apex court and as long as it is subjudice,
every one should refrain from indulging in fanning the controversy.
Recently, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) consecrated a carved stone
pillar and launched yagna. The perilous momentum acquired by the campaign
to build Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is something that should worry all
the citizens. It is no superior to the growing menace of terrorism.
The opposition parties completely failed in equating this nuisance
to the terrorist events. In the recent days, the uttering of the top
leadership in VHP sounds very adamant and unreasonable. Instead of
reacting to an event once it goes out of proportion, the Centre and
the incoming UP government should take some stern action against such
dangerous campaign. They should thwart all attempts to start the Mandir
construction on March 15 that can raise the communal temperature.
The reports suggest that already stone pillars are transported towards
Ayodhya. March 15, 2002 should not turn out to be another December
6, 1992. This whole campaign started when the Dharam Sansad issued
an ultimatum to the Centre last year. The Prime Minister seems to
think that the nation would be contented with his hallow replies that
"whatever is necessary will be done at the proper time". The Supreme
Court should carefully watch the developments and if necessary using
the appropriate provisions in the Constitution should suo motto issue
orders prohibiting any sectarian practice that can harm the social
fabric of this great Nation. The Apex Court should save the society
and nation at large from any untoward incident that this communal
campaign can culminate in. It can take action under the provisions
of "Contempt of Court" as the case is pending before the Apex Court.
The Supreme Court's intervention is very much needed if one looks
at the history with regard to BJP's "Shil Nyas" (quietly watched by
Rajiv Gandhi) and "Rath Yatra" (under the nose of the secular V P
Singh who was then at the helm of affairs, thanks to his alliance
with BJP during that period) in late 1980s and the inhumane Babri
Masjid demolition in 1992 (encouraged by the helplessness of P V Narasimha
Rao). The history should not repeat once again. Extraordinary situations
require extraordinary actions. It was sheerly due to the lack of preventive
measures that Babri Masjid was demolished. The Supreme Court should
not hesitate to take proactive steps to prevent the possible disaster.
It should not be conservative in its actions. The judiciary should
not take recourse and confine to the conventional processes. The legal
system also has to be innovative to deliver justice in the most effective
way.
During the above mentioned historical events, two of them happened
under the Congress Government and the other one happened when there
was a coalition government at the Centre which depended on BJP's support.
This time BJP itself is in power. There is no doubt that the VHP would
be that much more aggressive this time thanks to its other wing being
in the power. If Vajpayee and few of his sensible colleagues in power
gather courage to counter VHP, they may even be toppled and this government
may be thrown out not by the Opposition or the alliance party in NDA
but by its own members. This would be very shameful as we are not
used to toppling games by the detractors in the ruling party or by
the system (read Defense Force) ever since our Independence. The time
has come for our sagacious Prime Minister to put all his wisdom and
principles in practice. This may be an opportunity for him to go to
greater heights in terms of name and fame in the history than what
he occupies currently or this can also decimate his hard earned and
well-nurtured political career. Vajpayee Government should stop the
stone pillars and the misguided throngs of VHP volunteers as they
try to move menacingly into Ayodhya.
The Opposition leaders can not abdicate their responsibility by simply
saying that it is "a friendly match" on the Ram Temple issue between
BJP and VHP. They have simply kept quiet when the Centre had agreed
to study VHP's demand to hand over to it almost all the land acquired
in 1993. This is all happening when the court verdict is awaited.
Also, on another occasion, the Centre did not come down heavily on
the VHP activists when they forced their way into the prohibited area
of the disputed site. As rightly pointed out in the editorial of "The
Hindu", the VHP's reiteration of sticking to its plan of commencing
temple construction in March clearly shows that they have scant regard
for what prime Minister says. Only the previous day the Prime Minister
declared that the only solution to the Ayodhya dispute at this juncture
is to wait for the verdict of the court.
If Prime Minister is keeping silent, keeping an eye over UP elections,
this would belittle his image. He should not yield to the political
expediency. He should not stop by saying that the law would take its
course. At this point in time, the country expects him to act on VHP,
if not against it and the nation is interested not to know from the
Prime Minister how the Ayodhya issue ought to be resolved. He should
be determined to show VHP what is illegal in unequivocal terms by
coming down on them. Probably, this is the time BJP snap's its umbilical
chord from VHP. Ayodhya issue should not be dragged like this, that
too in the name of Lord Rama who is an embodiment of patience and
tolerance to many Hindus and Indians.
