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There is a fifty-fifty chance of negotiable settlement of Ayodhya issue
Lucknow: Opinions are divided on the issue of settlement of decades-old Ayodhya dispute through negotiations suggested by the Supreme Court recently. While it has been largely welcomed by Hindu outfits, a section of Muslims led by Jafaryab Jilani, convener of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, has completely ruled out the possibility of out-of-court settlement. There is yet another section which calls the move " judicial overreach".
And it is these differences of opinion which have made it difficult in the past to find a solution. They may create roadblocks again.
The Court has fixed March 31 as the next date of hearing and urged the two sides, Hindu and Muslim litigants, to inform it if it is possible to settle the dispute through talks. In an unusual offer, chief justice of India, Justice J S Khehar, has even said that he is ready to act as a mediator, if they so desired.
Those who think positively on any issue are still hopeful of likes of Jilani changing the mind but not others. Several groups have become active and are persuading those who are opposed to out-of-court settlement to agree to the Court's suggestion. One television news channel too has taken initiative in this regard.
If a comparison is made, the people in Ayodhya and this includes Muslims who are fighting the Ayodhya land title case since 1949 think differently. It is they who had to bear the brunt of Ayodhya tussle and, therefore, they would like to see peace returned to the town as early as possible.
Even in the past they had favoured a peaceful solution through negotiations. Let alone others, even some of those who had approached the court had expressed themselves in favour. But hardliners always scuttled the move. They are active again.
One new suggestion which has been made by them this time is that the people of Ayodhya should decide on the issue and outsiders should be kept at bay. This point was highlighted by the news channel too.
However, there is no buyer for the BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's suggestion that the mosque should be built on the other side of river Saryu and mandir at the site where the make-shift temple exists now. " The place of birth is unchangeable . So, there can be no negotiation on this issue", he has told media persons.
It was during the hearing of Swamy's petition that the Court had made the mediation offer. But Muslims leaders in Ayodhya. by and large, are opposed to this idea. Common belief is that the mosque should be constructed in the area where it existed before demolition in 1992.
Further talks are being held both in Ayodhya and outside by liberals in the two sides. There is still about a week left for the Court to take up the matter again and they are hoping for the best and prepared for the worst.
If the negotiations do not borne fruit , the other solution is to hear the case on a day to day basis, even during summer holidays and pronounce the verdict on the title suit as early as possible in view of its importance and sensitive nature.
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