Demolition is strongly pointed out as crime and condemned by the Supreme Court. But the demolishers are rewarded; the aggrieved get only compensation
Secularism and Scientific Spirit stressed by Indian Constitution now subject to Scrutiny
Dr. K. Veeramani
President, Dravidar Kazhagam
Following the verdict of the Supreme Court announced on 9th November, 2019, the statement of Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam reads as follows:
There was a law suit to construct a temple for Lord Ram at the spot where Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished. There were also law suits by Muslim Forums of Sunni, Shia etc. There was a dispute over the 2.77 acres of land. The High Court of Allahabad announced its verdict ratifying division of the land into three equal parts. There was an appeal against this and the cases were all pending for a long period. On 9th of November, 2019, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi delivered its verdict unanimously announcing that the demolition was a crime.
The Significant Verdict
The concluding segment of the verdict reads as follows:
‘One of us, while being in agreement with the above reasons and directions, has recorded separate reasons on: “Whether the disputed structure is the birth-place of Lord Ram according to the faith and belief of the Hindu devotees.” The reasons of the learned judge are set out in an addendum.’
The other four judges were S.A. Bobde, Dr. Dhananjay Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S. Abdul Nazeer. But the name of the (“one of us”) judge who recorded separate reasons has not been revealed. The judge concerned is reported to have stated that it is difficult to rebut the belief of the Hindus about the birth place of Ram. It is learnt that he has furnished his reasons filling in 116 pages, sprinkling references and quotations from mythologies, Tulsidas Ramayana, Valmiki Ramayana and Skanda Purana Neither the name of this judge nor his signature is found on the final verdict, which is really amazing!
The unanimous verdict which runs to nearly 1000 pages comprises the noteworthy points as follows:
- Out of 14 law suits, some were rejected.
- The suit of Shia Waqf Board was rejected.
- Babar Masjid was built in Ayodhya but not on a vacant land.
- It has not been confirmed that a temple existed there before that.
- Ramlalla was the sole litigant.
- A litigant cannot rebut the belief of another litigant.
- On the land of dispute, the idol of Ram was installed in 1949.
- As per the Land Ownership Rights Act, the land concerned is not anybody’s property except the Government.
- As per Section 142 of Indian Constitution, the Central Government may construct Ram Temple on the 2.77 acres of land concerned by forming a Trust.
- The Trust could be formed within a period of three months applying certain conditions.
- In accordance with section 142 of the Constitution, 5.00 acres of land should be offered to the Muslims to build a Mosque in Ayodhya.
– Many such particulars and points have been reportedly stated in the Verdict.
A Verdict which is an Amalgamation of Amazement:
The judgment concerned cannot be considered a win-win solution, since it seems to be a mixture of several strange aspects. It is a source of delight for those who were adamant over building Ram Temple in the spot where Babar Masjid existed.
Grant of 5.00 acres of land for Muslims to construct a Mosque and resume worship seems to be a compromising verdict for solace.
Though the present verdict appears to have been delivered to prevent communal riots, it is an unpalatable truth that this verdict, the 116 page ‘reasons’ furnished by one of the judges and several other complex issues may provoke religious fanatics in future to file law suits as a sequel.
A Challenge to Secularism
It is an undeniable truth that it is now a period of trial for secularism. The last 100 pages of the verdict consists of an alchemy of transforming myths as facts. As per Indian Constitution (Article 51A(h) it is the fundamental duty of every Indian to develop scientific temper. But this verdict annihilates it which is a matter of concern.
Only Humanism Can Guide People
Only the torch of humanism can help our people groping in the darkness of ignorance. Religious fanaticism should vanish. Since the verdict concerned has indicated that the demolition of Babri Masjid was a criminal offence, it is to be noted that the pending cases have not yet been abandoned and that this verdict does not protect the criminals from facing the sentence which they deserve, because justice delayed cannot always be justice denied.
“To the North – East of that spot is the place of the birth of Rama. This holy spot of the birth is the means of achieving salvation etc. It is said that the place of the birth is situated to the East of Vighneswar, to the North of Vasistha and to the West of Laumasa. Only by visiting it a man can get rid of staying (frequently) in womb (i.e.rebirth). There is no necessity for making charitable gifts, performing a penance or sacrifices or undertake pilgrimage to holy spots. On the Navami day the man should observe the Holy vow. By the power of the holy bath and charitable gifts, he is liberated from the bondage of births. By visiting the place of birth, one attains that benefit which is obtained by one who gives thousands of tawny – coloured cows every day. By seeing the place of birth, one attains the merit of ascetics performing penance in hermitage, of thousands of Rajasuya sacrifices and Agnihotra sacrifices performed every year”
Source – Srimad Skandapuranam II.VIII.10.18-25
