But masjid can’t be abdicated

Land dedicated to mosque cannot be sold, gifted or in any way alienated, says Muslim Personal law Board; sacks cleric who favoured out of court settlement

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to remove its member Moulana Salman Hasni Nadvi. The latter had taken a deviant line, said that there should be an out of court settlement in the Ayodhya case, and even found a meeting ground with Art of Living guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on this prickly issue.

Having hustled out Nadvi, the board came out with a statement to allay all misgivings within the community – it has accordingly said that the Babri Masjid is an essential part of the faith, and Muslims can never abdicate it. Once a masjid is built, it is a masjid for an eternity (till Qayamat). The land dedicated to the masjid cannot be sold, gifted or in any way alienated.

Nadvi had had a meeting with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar where he had extended support to the construction of Ram temple and said that their priority was to join hearts. He had also hinted at an out of court settlement saying, "The courts do not join hearts as the verdict is always in favour of one and against the other." This meeting became a trigger for his expulsion.

However, Nadvi had his supporters, and with the rift out in the open, a disciplinary committee was formed, ostensibly to nip the deviant voices in the bud. There was a heated discussion in the AIMPLB working committee meeting on Friday with many members demanding action against Naqvi. On Saturday, in the general body meeting, the issue was again discussed.

Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, another AIMPLB member, told a TV channel, "The board reiterated its uncompromising stand on Babri Masjid. Once a masjid is built, it is a masjid for an eternity. Nadwi is still taking a divergent line. So, the board has unanimously decided to remove him." Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expressed surprise at the move on Twitter. ‘‘Nadwi's expulsion came as a surprise as several members of the board have met me,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Salman Nadvi has reiterated that he will continue his effort to resolve the Ram Mandir- Babri Masjid issue along with Sri Sri Ravishankar and visit Ayodhya in March.