Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, on the eve of the Allahabad High Court verdict in the 60-year old Ayodhya dispute, appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.
Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, he noted that main political parties had reposed their faith in the due process of law. “Many other organisations connected with the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute have also affirmed that they would respect the judgment and seek to advance their cause, if so advised, only in accordance with law,” the Minister said in a signed statement he read out at the press briefing.
Reiterating his appeal to all sections to cooperate with the government and uphold the values dear to the country, Mr. Chidambaram, in his statement, invoked Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional song Ishwar Allah Tero Naam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan.
On the Uttar Pradesh government's letter to the Home Ministry demanding more forces, he said he could not recall its contents, but noted that Chief Minister Mayawati's close associate and MP Satish Chandra Mishra had spoken to him.
“I think, I convinced Mr. Mishra and through him the Uttar Pradesh government that 1.90 lakh security personnel are more than enough to maintain law and order. I think he was satisfied.”
To another question, he expressed the hope that there would be no celebrations as he emphasised that in a legal battle, there could not be any winners or losers. “Celebrations should be reserved for the Commonwealth Games,” he quipped.
