I respect the views of Jalees Ahmed Khan Tareen (Letters, Sept. 28). But towards whom are Muslims expected to make the magnanimous gesture of offering the disputed land? The self-styled Hindu leaders and sants, who are criminals in the eyes of law and humanity? Towards those who would avowedly create more misery by raking up Mathura and Kashi? Towards those whose only religion is greed and power, and who have done nothing for the community they claim to represent?
Ashok Lal,
New Delhi
It is well known that the sangh parivar has lined up many other Janmasthan-Mosque issues in different parts of India, starting from Mathura and Kashi. Some right-wing ideologues claim that there are 3000 mosques under dispute. So even if the Ayodhya issue is amicably resolved, which is what we all wish, another controversy is likely to be raised soon. A possible solution is the setting up of a National Reconciliation Committee by the Centre, supported by all parties, to look into the issue and enact a binding statute on all Janmasthan-Mosque issues once and for all.
O. Abdul Rahuman,
Nagercoil
If Mr. Tareen's letter came as a whiff of fresh air, the same was true of J.P. Reddy's letter (Letters, Sept. 29). While peaceful co-existence is undoubtedly the first priority, I doubt any community will buy it at the cost of self-respect.
Surely, there should be an amicable settlement of the Ayodhya issue. But advising Muslims to gift the disputed land to Hindus is an impractical suggestion. Let both the communities settle the issue in such a manner that there is no loser.
M. M. Haneef Shabab,
Bhatkal
The Sanatana Dharma is constant — it has neither a beginning nor an end. Destruction or construction of a few temples does not matter. The Sanatana Dharma does not need self-styled saviours like the VHP, the RSS and the Bajrang Dal. They will do more good to society by keeping off if the verdict is not in favour of a Ram Mandir.
Appayya Sastry Marla,
Hyderabad
Even if the court verdict goes in favour of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, Ayodhya cannot be dissociated from Ram. Every inch of Ayodhya reverberates with the name of Ram and his lore. It is the right time for Muslims to give up Ayodhya.
G. Azeemoddin,
Anantapur
Mr. Tareen's letter was thought-provoking and touching at the same time. Incidents of Muslim families performing the last rites of Pandit families or Pandits protecting Muslims in Kashmir or elsewhere in India are never highlighted or discussed because interested parties want to keep the fire of unrest burning. It is really shocking to see young boys on the streets of Kashmir throwing stones and defying curfew, when they should be in schools dreaming big.
I still want to believe that the present-day youth is smart enough to understand the evil designs of political vote banks, and extremist forces. Instead of a religious place, why not build a school or a hospital in Ayodhya and bury the ghost of hatred forever? This may sound repetitive but it is worth a try.
Jyoti Risbud,
Thiruvananthapuram
The community in whose favour the verdict goes should gift 50 per cent of the land to the other to build a mosque or temple. The places of worship can be separated by a high-rise compound wall.
K.P. Sanal Kumar,
Chennai
