Pandit Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastri, a prominent Hindu priest and peace activist from Ayodhya, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi, urged the Supreme Court to impose restrictions on the recent communal politics of Sangh Parivar, including polishing and carrying stones and making provocative statements regarding construction of the proposed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Shastri has been fighting politics on Babri Masjid for the last 25 years. The conference was held on the completion of his Sadbhawana Yatra from Ayodhya. This was his 24th Communal Harmony Caravan which began 22 December at Ayodhya.
“To interfere into such an issue which is still pending in the court for judgement is itself a crime. We have been raising this issue and saying that those who do not follow law and want to construct temple forcefully are anti-national and the court should take step against them,” said Yugal Kishore Shastri.
John Dayal, a social and human rights activist, while addressing the press meet, categorically said, “We never call this place a disputed land because there had been a mosque for five centuries. It was made controversial in 1949 by putting a statue and some pictures.” He also added that it is not possible to forget the demolition of Babri Masjid on 6 Dec 1992, nor should we. Whatever the court’s decision comes, there is no reason to forgive that crime. It was a big crime. The apex court has sent notice to 22 people that include former deputy prime minister LK Advani. It means justice for the crime committed on 6 Dec 1992 is yet to be done.
“Collecting stones for Ram Mandir around Ayodhya is an invocation to create tension which may even flare up into communal tension leading to riots. Justice is yet to be done in Babri Masjid demolition case,” said Prof. Apoorvanand Jha of Delhi University. He also said that these types of caravan are very necessary. The recent activities are just to check the depth of political water; whether people can be mobilised on the issue once again. It is an attempt to create provocation and tension. “The Brahminist forces want to polarise the country once again on the eve of UP assembly elections. The purpose is clear otherwise what is the reason of bringing stones at this time?”
Shabnam Hashmi, who was the organiser of the press meet, felicitated the members of the Yatra which reached Delhi while passing through six cities, including Lucknow and Aligarh and culminated in Delhi on 27 December. The Ayodhya Communal Harmony Yatra had members from both Hindu and Muslim communities. This was the 24th such Yatra taken out by Pandit Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastri for communal harmony in the country.