ARE AYODHYA TALKS POSSIBLE?

With the Supreme Court observing that the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute is better resolved through amicable talks than a court order, Ajit K. Jha posed questions, separately, to Pravin Togadia, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international working president, and Sunni W

Q. What do you think of the Chief Justice of India’s offer to mediate direct negotiations?

Togadia: We welcome the initiative. This is the first time the apex court has made such a gracious offer. We must abide by its observation.

Jilani: If counsels of the Muslim parties had been present when Subramanian Swamy made his plea in court, we’d have informed the CJI that an out-ofcourt settlement is not possible.

Q. As per the Constitution, can Parliament pass legislation to build a temple on the site?

PT: Yes. The BJP’s absolute majority in the Lok Sabha (and soon in the Rajya Sabha) and UP assembly means it is possible and desirable to pass legislation to build a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. ZJ: No. Parliament can neither nullify the Supreme Court’s 2011 order to maintain status quo nor the 2010 Allahabad High Court order to build a

temple where the Babri Masjid stood. Right to religion is part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution and that cannot be altered by Parliament.

Q. Given the BJP’s political mandate, is this the right time to build the Ram temple?

PT: Yes. We have entered the saffron era.

ZJ: The BJP was in this position earlier as well, under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but it doesn’t have the courage to violate the status quo order of the Supreme Court.

Q. Has the VHP ever initiated talks over the temple’s construction?

PT: For any negotiation, you need two willing parties. The VHP has tried five times in the past but the other side refused to engage.

ZJ: The VHP has never tried to negotiate. Talks were initiated by former PMs Chandra Shekhar and Narasimha Rao. The Babri Masjid Action Committee participated on both occasions.

Q. Can the Yogi Adityanath government help?

PT: The Sunni Waqf Board is part of the UP government. The chief minister can stop the board’s funding and pave the way for the board to withdraw from the case.

ZJ: Even if the Uttar Pradesh government prevails upon the Waqf Board, it will make no difference. Six other appeals filed by various Muslim parties are before the Supreme Court.