NEW DELHI: Even as the Babri Masjid Movement Coordination Committee (BMMCC) convener, Syed Shahabuddin, Thursday termed the criticism of his meet with the Akali Dal leader. Simranjit Singh Mann, on October 22 as “based on misinformation and misunderstanding” the Janata al eadership emphasized that it will not hesitate to take action against any party member who associates with secessionists.

In a statement issued here, Shahabuddin who is also the JD Member of Parliament from Kishanganj, said the BMMCC regrets the “insinuation in a section of the mass media about a dark and sinister conspiracy against national integrity being hatched at the meeting. This is nothing more than a figment of imagination, without any foundation whatsoever”. Shahabuddin clarified at the meeting that Mann did not bring up the question of Khalistan. He

did not raise any question about any formal alliance between his party and the Babri Masjid movement.

Shahabuddin said Mann reiterated the stand of his party to de fend the Babri Masjid against demolition, He was informed that while there was no immediate threat to the mosque, current excavation and demolition by the VHP constituted violation of the rule of law and it must be stopped through all legal and political means.

The BMMCC leader said at the meeting Mann was also informed of the commitment of the BMMCC to accept the final judicial verdict on the question of title, Mann was also informed of the earlier offer to accept the finding of a Supreme Court bench (or a commission of inquiry

 consisting of a Supreme Court judge on the question of fact whether a standing Ram temple was demolished in 1528 to build the Babri Masjid in its place. “Mann considered the stand of the BMMCC as reasonable”, Shahabuddin said.

MANNS ARREST CONDEMNED: Strongly condemning the arrest of Mann, the BMMCC leader described it as indication of the fascists tendency of the UP government.”

Meanwhile, the statement said the BMMCC appreciated the program of action finalized by the National Front and Left Front son the Ayodhya issue in order to exert pressure on the Central govt 10 clarify its stand and fulfill its Constitutional responsibility.

The question Thursday is not only to defend the Babri Masjid but to stop the continuing unlawful activity by the VHP on the dis putted site, under the protection of the govt of UP in the form of demolition of existing structures and excavations for foundation for the proposed Ram temple,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the JD leadership has clarified that it has taken a serious view of Shahabuddins meeting with the Sikh leader. It sought to emphasize that the Dal would not

hesitate to take action against any member who goes against the party line in this regard.

The J D spokesman, Hari Kishore Singh, said the party view was very clear that it would not allow any member to associate with those who preach secessionism and this had been conveyed to Shahabuddin even before his meeting with Mann.

The president of the All-India Muslim League, Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait, said that there was question of his party joining hands with Mann or any other leader espousing the cause of militants in Punjab.

“I was at Shahbuddin’s house when Mann called on him, it was a sheer coincidence, I had never met him before. I did not attend his rally. The photograph showing published in some papers sought a create a misleading impression”, Sait said

Asked if he was satisfied after his meeting with the Prime Minister recently, Sait said “

Obviously, the Center is awaiting court orders on the issue, 1 think the Center is examining various options open to it and doesn’t want to act in haste. Nor would we like the govt to do anything without weighing all the pros and cons. This is a sensitive issue and we hope in view of the unanimous demand by all parties that nothing should be done to sour or strain communal relations and the VHP should be prevented from going ahead with its plans”.

Sait said the VHP plans for the construction of the Ram temple in. Ayodhya “is indeed a prelude to the destruction of the Babri mosque and therefore must be: stalled”.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 1, 1991