Ayodhya case in Oct: Stay alert for trouble

In a split 2-1 verdict Thursday, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra gave the go-ahead for hearing of the title suit on the disputed site in Ayodhya from the week beginning October 29. This can potentially open the floodgates for intense politics and social disturbance on this inflammatory issue.

The apprehension is hard to dispel in light of the coming election season and observations made earlier this month by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the end of his public outreach in New Delhi. Mr Bhagwat was categorical, responding to questions, that while he favoured dialogue, “the final decision rests with the Ram Mandir Samiti”, which has spearheaded the Ram Mandir construction campaign. He made no reference to the title suit before the Supreme Court.

The hearing on ownership of the disputed land in Ayodhya begins at the end of October/early November. That is the time when electioneering for Assembly polls Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana is likely to be in high gear. One hopes the law and order authorities will be on alert and prevent mischief arising from any quarter on the Ayodhya issue in this period.

In Uttar Pradesh, too, where actual preparations for temple building are likely to be in full swing with the mobilisation of various Hindutva outfits, Yogi Adityanath’s government will be expected to maintain the status quo, and not permit communal tensions to get out of hand, and deal firmly with anyone seeking to whip up religious frenzy as the Ayodhya hearing progresses in the Supreme Court.

It may have a salutary effect if the Supreme Court instructed state governments and the Centre to remain watchful. This is especially needed as preparations for the next Lok Sabha poll have actually begun in effect, if the shrillness of the political discourse is any indication.

The Supreme Court will examine the validity of the 2010 verdict by the Allahabad high court’s Lucknow bench, that has been challenged by 13 different parties. This judgment divided Ayodhya’s disputed site equally among the so-called Muslim side, the so-called Hindu side, and Ram Lalla (Ram the Beloved) — in effect giving Hindus, as it were, two-thirds of the area occupied by the demolished Babri Masjid.

In a case like this, there is much scope to inflame religious sentiments, no matter what the verdict is, and even if it came well before the next parliamentary election.