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Saying that the verdict in the Ayodhya title suits did not condone the Babri Masjid demolition,the Congress on Tuesday decided not to play a direct role in facilitating reconciliation between the two communities. The party,however,welcomed efforts by litigants to find an amicable settlement.
The issue of whether the verdict was based on faith,as perceived by a section of people,also came up for discussion at Tuesdays Congress Working Committee CWC meeting. The party concluded that the issue should be left to the Supreme Court.
Most members of the CWC,converted into Steering Committee until the CWCs reconstitution by Sonia Gandhi,were said to be of the view that any intervention by the party could alienate either community.
The Congress respects the judicial process with regard to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits. However,we must now await the final decision of the Supreme Court as and when the appeal is filed. In the meantime,the Congress welcomes efforts by the parties concerned with the litigation to find an amicable and peaceful settlement, said party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi after the meeting.
It is important to underline that the verdict in no way condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6,1992,which was a shameful and criminal act for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice. Any distortion of the verdict is detrimental to the larger national interest and will cause harm to the nations mood and desire for peace and harmony, said Dwivedi.
While explaining the finer points of the verdict to the Steering Committee,Home Minister P Chidambaram was said to have discussed the rulings of each of the three judges on the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. When the issue of the verdict being based on faith came up,a CWC member pointed out that it was the minority community which was talking about exploring the option of reconciliation.
While some members expressed concern about efforts by Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and the BJP to give a communal colour to the verdict,the party decided to wait for the Supreme Court to settle the issue.
In her opening remarks,Sonia also referred to the court verdict but did not express any opinion about its merits or the political implications,said sources. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also did not express his views on the subject.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee dwelt on organisational elections and suggested that an AICC session should be held before the plenary session. Accordingly,the CWC decided to hold an AICC session between Dussehra and Diwali,followed by the plenary session before December 20. PCC chiefs will be nominated before the AICC session.
