Mandir-Masjid - divided, but ours-4/10/10

October 04

Mandir-Masjid - divided, but ours

We Indians are different. Owing to our multicultural historical legacy, in our difference, we are also divided. This division asserts itself most vociferously when we think religion. Actually, we do not think- we just feel religion.

We are also spiritual, tolerant, assimilative, adaptive and inherently generous – but for obvious reasons, political, irrational and generic- this aspect gets obfuscated at the merest mention of politico-religious agenda; Hindu, Musilm, Agnostic, whatever.

The judgement on the Mandir-Masjid dispute that came after 21 years in action, and eons in principle, briefly, flatly, divided the disputed land in Ayodhya into three parts. Ironically, scribes, thinkers, philosophers, leaders all, were, briefly, flatly deprived of a heated controversy. What could have, by precedent and by logic been the most agitated state-of-being in recent years, became, uncontroversial. Because of a three part division, created by a three-judge bench.

It’s an impressive feat. But the real story on the Mandir-Masjid ‘divide’ is only just beginning. Religious ideology is out- but Right action under spiritual guidance and rational imperatives is in. It began when the 90-year-old Mohammed Hashim Ansari – the man who has fought for the Masjid since 1961 took that very significant first step towards an amicable, undivided solution. He visited Mahant Gyan Das, the head of the Akhara Parishad to work out a negotiated solution on the lines of the verdict.

His is a balanced approach that’s workable, negotiable, flexible, open to interpretation, open to dialogue, soluble and finally – as we have seen here- the penultimate step towards the victory of a secular, democratic, undivided India. It is also an endorsement of the authority of the country’s judiciary. There are many that are not pleased with the verdict. That will always happen. But the verdict has been dealt. And there are some, like Ansari and Das who are working towards peace and unity,( because of the decision to divide).

Makes you think that if our national character and spirit remain indivisible; being different is good, being divided is good.