The claims by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) that Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has agreed to mediate between protagonists of the Ram temple movement and the Muslim leadership, have created consternation among Muslim leaders. They have said that the SP chief cannot speak on behalf of Muslims in the vexed Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid issue.
“Mulayam is not alone. He cannot speak on behalf of Muslims. It is the Muslims who would decide what stand they should take regarding the Babri Masjid issue,” top Shia leader of Maulana Kalbe Jawad told The Pioneer on Sunday.
He said even the All India Muslim Personnel law Board (AIMPlB) does not have the right to speak in the controversial issue without taking Muslims into confidence.
The two-hour long meeting between Mulayam and senior VHP functionary Ashok Singhal has once again brought the focus back on the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid. Speculation is rife that in that meeting VHP leaders have asked Mulayam to find a solution to this vexed issue.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was also present in the meeting that took place at 5, Kalidas Marg while Singhal was accompanied by VHP general secretary Champat Rai, former MP
and member of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas Dr Ram Vilas Vedanti, former Union Minister and senior VHP leader Swami Chinmayanand and other saints.
No official word was available about the meeting, but the VHP claimed that Mulayam agreed to act mediator between the two sides.
“We proposed that Mulayam act as a bridge between Muslims and Hindus as he has acceptability among Muslim leaders and clerics more than any other politician in the country,” Chinmayanand had said. He also claimed that the offer was accepted by the SP chief. “He has assured us that he would take up the issue with Muslim leaders,” Chinmayanand had said after the meeting on Saturday. However, Maulana Kalbe Jawad said he was not aware what exactly transpired between Mulayam and VHP leaders.
“If the meeting was about Babri Mosque-Ram Janmabhoomi issue, the Muslims do not accept Mulayam as their representative,” he said.
The convener of the Babri Masjid Action Committee Jaffaryab Jilani saw no point of any dialogue on this issue. “Personally, I feel the situation has reached such a point where dialogue won’t be acceptable now. Only the court could find a solution to this,” said Jilani, who is also Assistant Advocate General of State Government.
Shahar Qazi and Sunni cleric Maulana Abul Irfan sees a political angle in this meeting. He said that VHP needed a base to strengthen BJP and its cadres in Uttar Pradesh in view of the forthcoming lok Sabha elections.
“This meeting could be an attempt to lure Mulayam and give an impression that the VHP wanted to resolve Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Mosque issue through dialogues. But it is not the fact. It is a difficult time for Mulayam and the SP. He has to choose between VHP and Muslims now,” he said.
The Shahr Qazi even said that if Mulayam fails to live up to the expectations of the Muslims it could be the end of road for the SP as far as Muslim support is concerned.
The SP has maintained a deafening silence over the issue while BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said that though the lucknow High Court has given a verdict in favour of Hindus, the VHP still wants to solve the issue through dialogues.
“BJP believes Muslims are integral part of India and Indian culture. And if this vexed issue is resolved through dialogue, it would be a historical achievement for the VHP,” Pathak said.
On the VHP front sources said their leaders asked the Chief Minister to provide adequate security for ‘84 kosi’ parikrama at Ram Janmabhoomi complex at Ayodhya starting August 25 next.