NEW DELHI — The all India Babri Masjid action committee called upon all secular parties and forces to come out openly against the Vishwa Hindu Pari shad’s (VHP) proposed! Foundation stone laying ceremony of the “Ram Janmab hoomi Temple” in Ayodhya’ in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Leaders of the committee also demanded banning of the VHP’s Shila Pujan (ceremonial consecration of the bricks) processions throughout the country, as “It was likely to adversely affect the secular fabric of the nation.”
Alleging that the government had an understanding with the VHP, the leaders told a press conference that by “Not taking any action against the VHP for its activities and maintaining a status quo in regard to the templemosque controversy, the government is flouting the injunction orders passed by the Allahabad High Court.”
The controversy over the Ram* Janam BhoomiBabri Masjid arises out of the claims by the Hindus and the Muslims over one particular site, while the Hindous believe it to be the birth place of their god “Ram”, the Muslims con tend that the site had been used by the Mughal emperor Babur to build a mosque in the sixteenth century.
The sanctifying of the bricks, bearing the inscription “Ram,” is part of the ongoing programme of the Hindu community to uphold its claim over the disputed site.
The bricks are being currently taken to Ayodhya for laying the foundation of the proposed “Ram” temple.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 20, 1989
