Ram temple ward represented by Muslim corporator-03/10/2010

03/10/2010

Ram temple ward represented by Muslim corporator

Ayodhya: After all the bitterness over the disputed site in Ayodhya, the area in which the makeshift Ram temple is located in this town is represented by a Muslim in the municipality for the past 15 years.



Haji Asad, the corporator of Ramkot ward in this temple town in Uttar Pradesh, says both Hindus and Muslims have been voting for him for the past 15 years and there is no division between them.

"The dispute of the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid would have been solved much earlier had the political parties not played divisive politics," he said. "I represent the Ramkot ward, where the makeshift Ram temple exists and I get the support of all irrespective of their communities," he said.



Interestingly, besides make Ram temple, famous Hanuman Gari is also located in his ward, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. "People from all communities vote for me and that is the reason I have represented the ward for such a long time," Asad said.

Be it marriage or any other ceremony, people of all castes and religion gather and there is no feeling of hatred among them, the corporator said. About the High Court decision, Asad said they welcomed it but feels that the issue would linger on due to vote bank politics.



"The government should intervene to end the dispute, which is flared by politicians. At the ground we all live with harmony," Haji Asad said. There are many examples of Hindu-Muslim unity in this temple town where there are many mosques, which are being protected and taken care of by Hindus, whenever needed, a local said.



One Mohammad Shariq, who has cremated 1,500 unclaimed bodies -- both of Hindus and Muslims -- is continuing on his mission without caste or religion bias. Also, Ashraf Ali, who owns a flower shop near Ashari Bhawan, supplies flowers and garlands to temples and this is his main source of income.

Locals say the ground situation in Ayodhya is not visible to people outside due to statements issued by political parties on the issue.