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Muslim board wants status quo on Babri Masjid

The 14th All-India Muslim Personal Law Board Sunday warned against any attempt to change the status quo of the Babri Masjid site, saying such a step would amount to contempt of court.

The board, which concluded its two-day deliberations in its 'Bangalore declaration' said, "Those who are talking of constructing the Ram temple at the site are actually guilty of contempt of court".

It alleged that 'some fascist and communal forces' were destroying the democratic and secular character of the country at the behest of 'external and imperial forces'.

The declaration, however, did not mention any outfit or force.

The board said it had deliberated on issues like the Constitution review, growing communalisation of the polity, Babri Masjid, standardisation of 'nikahnama' and other issues facing Muslims in the country.

On the Babri Masjid issue, the declaration wanted the Liberhan Commission to complete its hearings at the earliest and present its report.

The board expressed concern over review of the Constitution and said it would not tolerate any attempt to change its basic structure and character.

The board's executive council expressed concern over attempts to 'ignite the communal passions' of people and charged that whipping up of communal frenzy was to divert popular attention from real issues facing the nation, like poverty, illiteracy and underdevelopment.

The declaration appealed to religious leaders, intellectuals, journalists, teachers and other opinion makers not to remain mute spectators to the 'fascist attempt' to destroy the secular foundations of the country.

Instead, all right thinking citizens of the country must come out to do their best to promote communal amity, peace and respect for each other, it said.

Expressing concern over what it called 'state terrorism against religious minorities', it called upon minorities to evolve a common strategy to collectively confront the threat.

On the standardisation of a nikahnama (marriage contract), an important topic on the board agenda, over which a committee submitted a report during the session, it felt that more discussion was necessary for making it simpler and introducing more safeguards.

The convention was attended by 90 members and 350 special invitees, representing all Muslim organisations in the country.

EARLIER REPORT
Muslim warned against fascist forces

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