WEB DESK
In a controversial remark famous Shia cleric and All India Muslim Personal Law Board Vice-President Maulana Kalbe Sadik said on Sunday that even if Supreme Court’s order about Babri Masjid in Ayodhya comes in favour of his community, then also the land should be handed over to Hindus.
“I think leaving land of mosque for temple will connect crores of hearts. So I wish that land should be handed over to the Hindus” he said at a seminar in Mumbai.
Shia cleric said that it is not the matter of Hindu-Muslim but its a matter of the country. However, Shia Waqf Board had also said that temple should be constructed at the disputed site and mosque could be constructed at any land of high Muslim population.
Speaking at the World Peace and Harmony conclave at NSCI in Mumbai, Sadiq said, “If the Babri Masjid verdict is not in favour of Muslims, then they should peacefully accept it. And if the verdict is in favour of Muslims, then they should happily give the land to Hindus. The issue should be dealt with respect by both the communities”
On August 8, the Uttar Pradesh’s Shia Central Waqf Board told the Supreme Court that a mosque can be built near Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Shia Waqf Board had filed an affidavit before the apex court in which it stated that a mosque can be constructed at a place near birth place of Lord Ram.
“Since, the Babri Masjid was a Shia Waqf, we are alone entitled to negotiate and arrive at peaceful settlement with other stakeholders,” Shia Waqf Board said in its statement.
However, in the year 1961 the Sunni Central Waqf Board also filed a lawsuit, demanding possession of the site and removal of idols from the mosque premises. Reportedly, the board had earlier decided to become a party in ongoing litigations in relation to the Ramjanmabhoomi – Babri Masjid dispute.
The mosque was demolished by Hindu Karsevaks on December 6, 1992 in Ayodhya. The country witnessed massive riots in which over 2000 people were killed.
The Hindus claim that it is the birthplace of Lord Rama where a mosque was built in 1528-29 CE (935 AH) by Mir Baqi. Since the mosque was built on orders of the Mughal emperor Babur, it was named Babri Masjid.