- People closely following the fortunes of the Indian political parties and their leaders irrespective of affiliations/philosophies/ideologies, would have noticed how society is subjugated to so much polarization despite sage voices from several quarters cautioning to exercise prudence. Of course, as is their wont, political leaders never let go of an opportunity to further strengthen their assiduously built vote banks. Even if it means dividing the Indian society on communal versus secular narration with which we are already so familiar. The two main national political parties viz., the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party and the Grand Old Party, champion the communal versus secular narration, with several regional parties aligning with them. We know this.
PC: Northeast Live
- As you are aware, the Ram Mandir was such an emotional issue that it finally culminated with the grand consecration of Lord Ram after the Supreme Court paved the way after such a long period. The country is witness to sporadic incidents of movements to reclaim temples from the present-day mosques are gaining traction. This is where all the stakeholders concerned should be exercising utmost caution and sagely wisdom to not muddy the waters any further. However, a recent remark by RSS’s top leader is anything but muddying the waters and also goes against what his boss mentioned not so long ago. It is best adviced if the Supreme Court steps in to address the matter once and for all without raising the hackles of anyone.
PC: HW News
- The RSS leader’s remark that organization members, in a personal capacity, can engage with movements to reclaim temples/land in Kashi and Mathura is in stark contrast to the organization chief’s call last December to not go looking for temples beneath every mosque. In the same breath, the leader added that RSS would not be aligned with any such movement, that members must avoid societal discord. Last December, the chief was clear that it wasn’t acceptable that every day, a new dispute was being raked up. Noting that people must live in harmony, he’d said after Ram Mandir, some think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. It cannot continue. That India runs per the Constitution. Sagely exhortations, indeed.
PC: Telegraph India
- However, the other leader’s dual signalling is contradictory, not quite the clarification he sought it to be. This makes it all the more important for SC to settle the related issue in court at the earliest. In 2021, SC allowed a challenge to the validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act. The 1991 law was enacted to prevent conversions of religious places and maintain their religious character as it existed at Independence, with the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute the sole exception. Surveys on disputed structures are happening. Mind you, it’s dangerous to entertain grievances over acts, real or perceived, that are centuries old and against which Parliament passed legislation. The time has come for the SC to address this issue one final time.
