Resolution of Babri Masjid case should be a National Priority
Indian Americans demand justice, urge peace and restraint on the 20th Anniversary of Babri Masjid Demolition
Thursday December 06, 2012
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC – www.iamc.com), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos has called the Babri Masjid case a continuing travesty of justice while urging peace and restraint on the eve of the 20th anniversary of its demolition.
The 400 year-old Babri Masjid was demolished by fanatical mobs led by L.K. Advani, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, along with other extremists on December 6, 1992. The sectarian violence that engulfed the nation in the aftermath resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 people, injuries to thousands and loss of property among the minorities amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees.
Since then the case has dragged on for two decades, without any prosecution of Mr. Advani, Sadhvi Rithambara and 66 others who were declared culpable by the Liberhan Commission for their role in the demolition and the ensuing violence.
“The Babri Masjid case cuts at the very foundations of our secular Republic,” said Shaheen Khateeb, President of IAMC. “The scars left on our national fabric by the heinous crime committed 20 years ago, can be healed only through an objective, impartial and speedy judicial process based on facts,” added Mr. Khateeb.
IAMC is concerned about the reports of unrest in Faizabad and the apprehensions of sectarian violence in Ayodhya and surrounding areas. “The Babri Masjid issue can be resolved through prompt judicial action and not through violence and intimidation,” noted Mr. Khateeb.
IAMC has also called for a reaffirmation of the “The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991” that prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of its religious character as it existed on 15th August, 1947. Although this Act does not apply to the Babri Masjid, its reaffirmation is necessary to ensure that other places of worship are not engulfed in the same sectarian and divisive politics that Babri Masjid fell victim to.
IAMC has called upon people of all faiths to observe the 20th anniversary of the demolition peacefully and to use the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and equality before the law.
Indian-American Muslim Council (formerly Indian Muslim Council-USA) is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with 13 chapters across the nation.
For more information please visit our new website at: http://www.iamc.com
References:
1. Full Report of the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry
http://babrimasjid.info/reports/
2. Indian American Muslim group expresses disappointment at the Court verdict on Babri Masjid Ayodhya issue
http://iamc.com/press-release/indian-american-muslim-group-expresses-disappointment-at-the-court-verdict-on-babri-masjid-ayodhya-issue/
3. Liberhan Commission Report inquiring into the demolition of Babri Masjid
http://iamc.com/reports/liberhan_comission_report_inquiring_the_destruction_of_babri_masjid_in_ayodhya_on_dec_6th__1992/
CONTACT:
Indian American Muslim Council
Zafar Haq
phone (800) 839-7270
email: info@iamc.com
Address:
6321 W Dempster St. Suite 295
Morton Grove, IL 60053
phone/fax: 1-800-839-7270
email: info@iamc.com
