New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS) A day before the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya dispute, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said the government did not foresee any problems after the court announces its decision.
‘I don’t foresee any trouble. Nevertheless, we have to take measures. We have deployed adequate forces… India has moved on, especially the people who were born after 1992 (when Babri Masjid at the disputed site was razed by Hindu fanatics) have a different world view,’ Chidambaram told reporters here.
He said that the government had taken ‘adequate’ security measures to thwart any trouble after the Lucknow bench of the high court delivers its judgment Thursday.
‘The central government has taken adequate measures and has deployed adequate security forces all over the country in order to assist the state governments to maintain law, order and peace,’ Chidambaram said.
Referring to the Supreme Court deferring the Allahabad High Court judgement by six days, the minister said it had an unintended benefit.
‘The delay of six days has, in my view, had an unintended benefit. It has given an opportunity to a number of parties, groups and individuals to reiterate that they will respect the verdict of the court,’ he said.
Chidambaram said the main political parties have reposed their faith in the due process of law.
‘Many other organisations connected with the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute have also affirmed that they would respect the judgment of the court and seek to advance their cause, if so advised, only in accordance with law.’
‘Many common citizens have also spoken and written in favour of a judicial resolution to the dispute. All these are helpful signs that peace and harmony will prevail in the wake of judgement,’ Chidamabaram said.
Quoting two lines from Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan ‘Ishwar Allah Tero Naam, Sabko Sanmati De Bhagwan’ (Ishwar, Allah are your names god, give good sense to all, Almighty), Chidambaram appealed to all to cooperate with the government and uphold the values dear to the country.
‘Overwhelming majority of people have stated that they will abide by the court verdict. Any further steps to advance their cause will be according to law. It is great advance over 1992,’ he said, adding that everybody believes that the way to resolve the issue was through the judiciary.
‘Many expect that one or more side will move the Supreme Court,’ he added.
Asked about the response of states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said that the party had maintained that it would abide by the verdict.
‘I expect the party’s state governments to take that line and ensure that law and order is maintained.’
The minister said the government had banned group SMSes to thwart mischief-makers. He said the ban will stay till further orders.
Chidambaram also emphasised that the court judgment should not amount to picking a winner or loser. ‘It is merely a declaration of facts and law as found by court,’ he said, adding that it would be difficult even for a trained lawyer to say which side won and which side lost.
Asked about the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati writing him a letter, Chidambaram said he had talked to party leader Satish Chandra Misra ‘who was quite satisfied with the help we have given’.
He said 1.9 lakh policemen had been sent to Uttar Pradesh ‘which was more than enough.’
Chidambaram also recalled the appeal for peace he made Sep 22, two days before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court was earlier scheduled to give its verdict on title suits relating to the Ayodhya dispute.
