The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has slammed the secular political parties for their conspicuous silence on the Gyanvapi mosque issue.
It said the secular political parties had failed to respond as they should have against the false propaganda against the Muslims and their religious places across the country.
The AIMPLB also termed the silence of the Union government on the Places of Worship Act, 1991 as “criminal”. It asked the Narendra Modi government to clarify its position on the Places of Worship, 1991 Act.
An emergency online meeting of the working committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board was held on Tuesday night to discuss the Gyanvapi mosque and various other mosques and holy places of Muslims in the country.
The AIMPLB said that on the one hand, hate-mongering forces were spreading false propaganda and targeting Muslim holy places with full force and on the other, the Central and state governments, which had a constitutional responsibility to enforce the Constitution and laws, were silent.
“The political parties that call themselves secular and just are also silent on the issue and they are not coming to the fore against this false propaganda the way they should. Their position needs to be clarified. We hope that they will clarify their position and also stand for the protection of the Constitution and the secular character of the country, and a clear and loud voice shall be raised by them,” read a statement issued by the AIMPLB.
It also expressed its disappointment with the judiciary,
“The AIMPLB feels that the courts are also disappointing the minorities and the oppressed. The sectarian forces are exploiting and are getting encouragement from the lax attitude of the judiciary. The issue of Gyanvapi started in the court three years ago. The lower court ignored the stay order passed by the High Court. Repeatedly filing suits on Gyanvapi and then issuing of such orders by the lower courts are extremely disappointing and disturbing,” the statement said.
The AIMPLB has constituted a legal committee to look into the 1991 law on places of worship and the decision regarding Babri Masjid and to present the case effectively. The committee members are Yusuf Hatim Muchhala, Mohammed Arshamshad, Fazil Ahmad Ayubi, Tahir Hakeem, Niaz Farooqi, Kasim Rasool llyas and Kamal Farooqi.
The meeting of the AIMPLB decided that a peaceful people's movement could be started if required. Taking brothers of other minorities into confidence will awaken public opinion on the common responsibility for respecting and protecting religious places of worship and holy places, it said.
The meeting appealed to the preachers and Islamic scholars to address the issues of importance of the masjid, its place and sanctity in Sharia and protection of the masjid during the Friday sermons in the next three weeks.
“False claims are being made and we should counter these claims scientifically and legally,” the AIMPLB said and appealed to Muslims to be patient, work steadfastly and present their case to the people without provocation.
Maulana Rabey Hasan Nadvi presided over the meeting, AIMPLB general secretary Khalid Saifullah Rahmani conducted the meeting, Syed Arshad Madani vice-president of AIMPLB and 45 other members participated in the meeting.
The then Congress government at the Centre headed by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao had in 1991 brought a law pertaining to the places of worship. The law provides for maintaining the status quo and prohibits conversion or changing the religious character of any place of worship that existed as on August 15, 1947. Anyone attempting to do that can face fine and imprisonment from one year to three years.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha is hearing the Gyanvapi issue. The bench on Tuesday had directed that the area where the shivling was found should be protected. The bench added that no manner of restriction should be imposed on Muslims on entering the mosque to offer namaz or religious observances. The apex court has listed the matter for further hearing on May 19.
