Page 42 - 31MAR2019E

‘Ayodhya

dispute needs

a solution

that makes all

stakeholders

happy’

Eminent journalist and scholar DR VED PRATAP VAIDIK, who
played an important role in the Ayodhya dispute mediation
during 1990-92 – shares possible solutions to the ongoing Ram
Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid row with pawan kumar bansal

r Ved Pratap Vaidik — who them two months time for resolving whether the three mediators represent
had started dialogue with the dispute. “Now the credibility of the any big organisations of Hindu and
all stakeholders for resolv- mediators is at stake. Moreover a big Muslims.
ing Ram Janambhoomi- question has arisen that whether their Dr Vaidik said that people of the
D Babri Masjid dispute at the mediation efforts will be successful or country have heard the names of two
initiative of the then Prime Minister not?” he said. out of three mediators — Sriram Pan-
PV Narasimha Rao — has posed some Raising questions about the deci- chu and Justice Kalifulla — for the first
vital questions on the formation of the sion, Dr Vaidik said that first question time. It is widely believed that these me-
three-member committee comprising which country needs an answer is diators are representing the Supreme
Sriram Panchu, Justice FMI Kalifulla whether these mediators have been Court. “If it is so, then the Supreme
and Ravi Shankar appointed by the appointed by the Supreme Court by Court should at least apprise them of
Supreme Court for mediation for taking the consent of the petitioners in the options for resolving the dispute,”
resolving the row. the dispute. “If not, then why they will he added.
Dr Vaidik told Tehelka that although give importance to these mediators Dr Vaidik, while discussing the polit-
he had been already advocating that appointed by the Supreme Court. Sec- ical implications of the constitution of
the dispute should be settled via ond question is that even if their con- the committee, said that the panel will
mediation instead of the Court and the sent has been taken then, is the Ram come out with its suggestions at a time
Supreme Court’s decision in appoint- Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is when election fever will be at peak. “At
ing the Committee for mediation is a limited only to the ownership of 2.75 that time, the Court will not deliver its
welcome step. “In 1990-92 the dispute acre land?” he asked. judgement and this issue will again
was almost at the end of settlement via Dr Vaidik has also asked that even recede into the background,” he said.
mediation,” he added. if the three members agree on some “What is most strange is that the
The eminent journalist and scholar points what is the guarantee that Hindu stand of Modi government on this
was little worried to know that three and Muslim leaders as well as organisa- sensitive issue. If governments led by
mediators have been appointed by the tions representing the both will accept Chandra Shekhar and PV Narasimha
Supreme Court itself and had given their suggestions. The real questions is Rao took major initiatives in solving the

Tehelka / 31 march 2019 42 www.Tehelka.com