A well-known social activist from Ayodhya, Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastry recently visited Delhi on his way to Kochi (Kerala) to attend ‘Democratic Movement: Brotherhood Meet’ and inaugurate Ashir Bhavan, in Kacherippady. Mr Shastri is a former member of VHP’s central committee. He is head (Mahant) of ‘Ram Janki Temple, Saryukunj Math’ and convener of ‘Ayodhya kee Awaz’, a movement aimed to expose hidden agenda of Mandirites and promote communal harmony in the country.
During his brief interaction with journalists at Dawat Nagar (headquarters, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind) he shared his perception of ‘Ram Janambhoomi Mandir Movement’ and the ‘Myth of Ram Aastha’.
Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor MG and former President AIMMM, introduced the Mahant. Here are excerpts from his 45-minute talk and the booklet, “Ram Janambhoomi Banaam Babri Masjid – Mithak Ewam Tathye” (Hindi/Pharos Media) he distributed as handout among journalists.
“The incidence of December 6, 1992 is the severest incidence of ‘terrorism’ in the recent history of India. Before this Mahatma Gandhi was murdered in 1948 by the same group of Hindu Extremists…. It is not only a crime of destroying a Mosque (Babri Masjid) but to demolish composite culture of India, it’s Constitution, it’s reputation and its common heritage. It was an attack on all unprivileged, depressed, suppressed minorities and poor sections of the society.”
“The aim of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir Movement is to destroy the composite culture of our country and establish hegemony of a small group.”
“Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is not a representative body of Hindus. It is amalgam of few extremists. Their ideology is against true Hindu tenants and traditions. Eighty per cent Hindus in our country belong to backward (SC/ST) classes, but there is hardly any representative of these classes in VHP. ”
“VHP is not even a party in the case, but amassing huge funds in the name of Mandir. They are deceiving the Hindus.”
“VHP claims support of Sadhu and Sants. Those in religious attire are seen seated on the dais with them are not religious persona in the true sense of term.”
“Those who engineer riots, destroy communal harmony, social fabric, law and order and peaceful atmosphere of the country, could not be true claimants of ‘Ram Aastha’ (faithful adherents of Ram’s idols)”
“Their claim of Ram Aastha is fake. L. K. Advani (who led the Ram Janambhoomi Mandir movement, resulting in the destruction of the Mosque and widespread bloodiest anti-Muslim riots) is a Sindhi and main deity of Sindhi community is Jhuley Lal. Similarly Avaidyanath is the Mahant of Gorakhnath Mandir and followers of Baba Gorakhnath are harshly opposed to Vaishnovs. How can they be Ram Bhakts?” (Sri Ram is considered seventh incarnation of Vishnu.)
“Hardly ten per cent of Hindus were for the demolition of Mosque and to construct a Mandir in its place. Claim of ‘Hindus Aastha’ is highly exaggerated.”
“The verdict of Allahabad High Court is not in accordance with the traditions and parameters of our legal precedence. It was not a question of weighing beliefs and sentiments. It was a matter of adjudicating upon facts. It should have been based on facts and not at unfounded myths. Sentiments of a section of people cannot be held (more) supreme than others.”
“The verdict boosted the elements who dared to destroy a historical religious monument illegally in the day of light (in connivance with those who were duty bound to safeguard it). This is not a defeat of a minority community but defeat of all those who believe in the sanctity of the law, the constitution, values of secularism, justice and judiciary. This should not be accepted.”
“To give credence to unlawful acts and Aastha by a court verdict is very hazardous for the future.”
“Efforts are being made to make people accept the judgment as it is. It is very dangerous. Upholding the supremacy of constitutional law and the facts is imperative. If these efforts succeeded, it will create a precarious precedent of giving ‘sentiments’ of a stronger group legitimacy against facts and supremacy upon sentiments of weaker sections.… Therefore it is very important to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court…. Hindu sentiments cannot be held more pious than others.”
“This is not a struggle of Muslims alone. It is for all citizens of the country to struggle for upholding the unity, harmony and rule of law.”
“Let us come together to promote true Nationalism, mutual respect, brotherhood, tolerance and equality among all citizens.)
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