Muslim groups criticise MHA146;s security proposal for Ayodhya

Several Muslim groups have critised the Home Ministry8217;s application to the Supreme Court which asks for allowing additional structures...

Several Muslim groups have critised the Home Ministry8217;s application to the Supreme Court which asks for allowing additional structures at the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board AIMPLB says that it is a way of 8216;8216;trying to give legitimacy to the site and an attempt to appease a certain segment of the population keeping the UP elections in mind8217;8217;.

AIMPLB says that it made its stand clear to the central government as early as February this year, when they found out that the UP state government had made the proposal. It says an attempt was made during the Shiladaan in 2002 and the court8217;s opinion was sought. The court had, however, reiterated that no change at the site was possible till the original title dispute was resolved.

Citing examples of the status quo judgement of 1994 and the 2002 order, the Board says it is confident that the judiciary would not allow this. In case the site requires more security, the Board says, 8216;8216;The government can increase the forces, the vigilance around the site, and make sure no further lapses occur.8217;8217;

Congress MP Rashid Alvi, part of the Congress core team working in UP, is also uneasy at the proposal. He holds the state government responsible for making the proposal and is asking the PM to make sure that the status quo is maintained.

Zafaryab Jilani, Lucknow-based senior advocate and a key member of the Babri Masjid Action Committee in the years before the demolition says that the Congress-led UPA at the Centre as well as the Samajwadi Party in the state are 8216;8216;conspiring to legalise an illegal structure8217;8217;. He says the SC ruling is very clear and any tampering with the status quo would amount to violation of court orders.

The SC orders issued on December 6,1992, say that the status quo as just after the demolition should be maintained till the original title suit to the site has been settled.

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The Milli Council says they 8216;8216;wonder why so much care is being taken to protect an illegal structure when the Babri Masjid standing there for years was allowed to be destroyed within hours8217;8217;.

Yesterday, the Home Ministry in a petition to the SC has said it would sanction Rs 7.22 crores to build a double wall around the Ram Lalla idols, with an eight-foot high wooden roof, creating an air-conditioned enclosure, so the site can be better protected.