Muslim Law Board rules out talks with VHP

Muslim Law Board rules out talks with VHP
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JAN 21: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) today ruled out negotiations with the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the Ayodhya issue but kept its doors open for talks with the Government, provided it created a conducive atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue.

‘‘The unanimous feeling at today’s AIMPLB Working Committee meeting was that there was no question of having any negotiation with those responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid and those planning to take law into their hands,’’ Syed Shahabuddin, a prominent member of the Board, told reporters here.

The marathon meeting of the 41-member executive of the Board resolved that it was prepared to give ‘‘due consideration’’ to any initiative for talks by the Government provided it ‘‘acts sincerely to create a conducive atmosphere for the same’’.

The Board decided to constitute a five-member Commitee, headed by Maulana Nijamuddin to monitor the situation arising out of the ‘‘belligerent’’ statements and policies adopted by forces directly responsible for demolition of the disputed structure.

Yusuf Mucchala, Maulana Sajjad Nomani, Syed Shahabuddin and Zafaryab Jilani are the other members of the committee which would meet every month and present its report to the Board President Maulana Qazi Muzahidul Islam Qasmi. The committee resolved that it would be its duty and obligation to counter the ‘‘vicious communal campaign’’ propogated by anti-national elements and shall endeavour to create a climate conducive for communal harmony and for resolution of the Babri Masjid issue.

The meeting, presided over by Qasmi, said the ‘‘land dedicated as a mosque shall always remain a mosque and every effort shall be made for restoration of the mosque’’.

It expressed serious concern over the attempts to vitiate communal amity by ‘‘persistent and well-orchestrated hate campaign started by anti-social and anti-national elements for political ends’’.

The meeting resolved to evolve an action plan to interact with people at the grassroots level so that they are not misled by the ‘‘hate campaign’’ propagated by ‘‘rabid communal forces’’.

Asked about the Board’s stand if it was invited for negotiation, general secretary of the Board Maulana Nijamuddin said, so far, there was no proposal from any side. ‘‘But doors for negotiation are not barred...,’’ he said.

He dismissed as hypothetical the question whether the Board would respond to Sangh Parivar’s invitation for talks.

Commenting on VHP’s reported threat to take law into its hand, he said the matter was still in the court and by resorting to muscle power they want to achieve ‘‘what is known as fait accomplish’’.

Wait & watch: Laxman
RAJAHMUNDRY: The construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya was a policy-decision of the BJP and ‘‘the party will wait for the court verdict on this matter’’, Bangaru Laxman, all India BJP president, said here today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said there were no differences between the BJP and the Telugu Desam parties and all the forthcoming elections will be contested with allies on a common understanding, Laxman added. Chilakam Ramachandra Reddy, party state unit president and S B P K Satyanarayana (MP) were also present at the press meet.