The RSS journals make no effort to hide the jubilant mood in the Sangh Parivar camp over the Ayodhya verdict. As expected,adjectives like historic and landmark are put to use to hail the judgment,with the underlying message that it has paved the way for construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.
The lead editorial in Organiser,however,notes one aspect remains hugely perplexing: how,after saying that the Muslims have no right to sue,did the court allow one-third to the Sunni Waqf Board? Here is a contradiction between the diktat of the two judges and what they have actually found as facts, it says.
That apart,articles in Organiser are all praise for the verdict though they note that both the Sunni Waqf Board and the Hindu side are set to appeal in the Supreme Court. What is worth noting is that the articles are carefully silent on whether a movement should be launched for constructing a temple at Ayodhya and there is no mention of either Kashi or Mathura.
Support for Alvi
Panchajanya,the RSS Hindi journal,interestingly,reproduces an article by Congress MP Rashid Alvi that had appeared in a mainstream Hindi daily,in which he favoured reconciliation instead of an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Alvis is one of the Muslim voices that advocated that the verdict should be accepted,a view put forth by the RSS and the Sangh Parivar. In his article,Alvi argues that the Babri Masjid was like any other mosque,and it was Hindu leaders and those in the Babri action committee who had made it a matter of prestige. Alvi argues that it doesnt make any difference if a mosque is built a kilometre away.
Confusion on Kashmir
While the BJP stopped short of passing judgment on the UPA governments eight-point initiative for Jammu and Kashmir,an article in Organiser says the proposal doesnt reflect the Jammu regions hugely persuasive sentiments and arguments. It describes the Centres initiative as a mixed bag. The write-up,titled UPAs initiative on J&K is pandering to secessionists,argues that the proposed group of interlocutors can deliver only if the members chosen for the job are credible. The article welcomes steps like reopening of schools and colleges,describes the setting up of special task forces to look into the development needs of Jammu and Ladakh as a flicker of hope,and notes with satisfaction that there is no mention of the AFSPA. But,on the whole,it argues the Centres approach to the problem is confused and halting.
It says the ground reality was that,while the common man wants the return of peace as they are fed up with long spells of cross-border terrorism,insurgency and mob violence,the separatists want to prolong the agony. They will have to be dealt with with a heavy hand,and Article 370,which breeds separatism,will have to go.
Compiled by Manoj C.G.
