Ayodhya verdict

The criticism that the Allahabad High Court verdict on Ayodhya is based not on facts but on religious belief is unfair. Beliefs form the core of any religion. The verdict is a profound outcome of balancing all facts, including belief. The judges have done a great service by reconciling all relevant facts and promoting understanding.

A. Subramaniam Sai,

Chennai

The High Court judges could not have possibly given a verdict which could have led to communal riots and clashes. The argument that the verdict has failed secularism is not acceptable. How will reconstructing a mosque alone on the disputed site reinforce secularism? It will only bruise the sentiments of the majority community and open a new chapter of conflict. The verdict, whatever its legal or historical faults, is in line with the best traditions of secularism.

Sarath S. Pillai,

New Delhi

Much newsprint had been dedicated to the Ayodhya verdict. Instead of challenging the grounds on the basis of which it was delivered, Muslims should direct their energies towards the uplift and social development of the community. They are in need of more schools than mosques.

Shamsuz Zaman,

Aligarh

I request my Muslim brethren to magnanimously gift the portion of the disputed site allotted to them for the construction of a Ram Mandir. The history of Islam will categorise such a gesture as being in line with the best Islamic traditions and in accordance with our exalted Ganga-Jamani Tehzeeb. Centuries ago, the great poet, Meer Taqui Meer, said: Mat ranja kar kasoo ko ki apne to eteqaad, Dil dhaaye ke jo kaaba banaya to kya kiya? (Of what use is a prayer hall if built on the rubble of broken hearts?)

Husainy Shahed,

Shahada

Muslims should gift their share of land to Hindus to build a Ram temple at the site in Ayodhya. In return, Hindus should accept the status quo in Kashi and Mathura. I sincerely believe that we have a historical opportunity to resolve these issues. This will also increase tolerance in our society and ultimately benefit our inclusive nationalism.

Mahfooz Alam,

New Delhi

The argument that the verdict is based on faith and mythology and, therefore, lacks concrete material evidence is illogical. What solid evidence of a birthplace can you produce of a person born millions of years ago, except for corroborative evidence in the form of folklore, mythology, scriptures, and the remains of a huge temple built to mark his birthplace? We cannot get a birth certificate or evidence of a maternity ward. The very basis of religion is faith, not scientific evidence.

Amit Shrivastava,

Vellore