Closed chapter, Muslims must not despair: 90-year-old litigant-Hashim Ansari says let temple come up- 01/10/2010

By Virendra Nath Bhatt, 01/10/2010

Closed chapter, Muslims must not despair: 90-year-old litigant

Hashim Ansari says let temple come up: places of worship were made political battlefields

Welcoming the verdict of the Lucknow Bench, 90-year-old Mohammed Hashim Ansari, the lone surviving litigant in the Ayodhya title suits, today said he would not pursue the matter further.

"For me, this is a closed chapter. Hindus should now be allowed to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya. I will appeal to the Muslim leadership to end the dispute and not pursue the matter in Supreme Court," said Ansari after the ruling.

"Though I am not the person to decide the future course of action of the Muslim leadership, I would appeal to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, UP Sunni Central Board of Waqf and Babri Masjid Action Committee to close the matter... Hum chahate hain ki maamla yahin thanda ho jaye (I want the matter to end here)."

"If it is challenged in court, it will take another 60 years for the judgment. I am already 90 years old. Do you think I will be able to hear the verdict from my grave?"

Ansari was one of those who had objected to attempts to defer the verdict, maintaining that he wanted to hear the order, "whatever it is", in his lifetime.

He said both Babri Masjid and Ram Janmabhoomi were places of "ibaadat (worship)" but political parties had turned them into battlefields of "siyasat (politics)".

Urging Muslims not to be disappointed by the High Court judgment, Ansari said; "Muslims should not despair over the judgment. The court, after all, has recognised their right and given one portion of the disputed land to Muslims..."

"In fact, Muslims should celebrate the judgment since the High Court has upheld their contention. But they should do it inside the four walls of their house, not in public places." Asked whether there was still a possibility of a negotiated resolution of the dispute, Ansari said: "I do not aspire for any chair or money. Those who are interested in a negotiated settlement should come forward and state their position in categorical terms. There will be no such initiative from my side... Justice has been done and I would like to thank UP Chief Minister Mayawati for maintaining law and order in the state."


IndianExpress