The Hindu : VHP vitiating Ayodhya situation: Muslim board

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 19, 2003

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VHP vitiating Ayodhya situation: Muslim board

By Our Staff Correspondent

PATNA Oct. 18. The All-India Muslim Personal law Board has accused the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of causing disturbances by seeking to force the Ayodhya issue and called upon the Central Government to take measures to uphold the rule of law.

Talking to reporters at the venue of the Board's working committee meeting here today, its general secretary, Syed Nizamuddin, said that the VHP's behaviour was harming the cause of peace and vitiating the atmosphere in the region, aiming as it did to achieve its objective in an unlawful manner. The matter was sub judice and hence it was for the Government to maintain status quo, he added.

The Board urged Muslims not to be provoked by the conduct of the VHP and to wait for the court order in the case. The court's verdict should be accepted by all, Mr. Nizamuddin said pointing out that the VHP had said it would not abide by it. Expressing concern over the exodus of the minorities from Ayodhya in the wake of the VHP's programme, Mr. Nizamuddin said that the Centre and the State Government should ensure that the minorities did not flee from their homes and try to persuade those who had already to return. As regards the Archaeological Survey of India report on the excavations at the disputed site in Ayodhya, the AIMPLB would discuss the issue and its lawyer would be present for a proper understanding of the matter. The court was seized of the matter and the Board would go by whatever the court had to say on the issue.

Mr. Nizamuddin reiterated that the idea of a uniform civil code was unacceptable and impracticable, but added that the Board had never opposed family planning programmes. But there should be no coercion, he said.

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