04, Dec 2017

Afternoon

December 04, 2017

CJP starts online petition in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case

Monday, December 04, 2017

By Shaiber Raichur

A Mumbai-based human rights platform – Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) – dedicated to fighting communalism, discrimination and standing for the rights of all Indians, is now intervening in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, along with a galaxy of prominent Indians from various walks of life across the length and breadth of the country.

The CJP has started an online petition for the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case wherein it has pleaded that the Supreme Court exercise its jurisdiction and not just treat this matter like a narrow property dispute, instead recognising the ramifications of letting religion dictate the fate of a piece of land.

The CJP implores the court to take cognisance of the meaning of the word ‘Ayodhya’, a compound word formed by adding together ‘a’ meaning ‘without’ and ‘yudh’ meaning ‘war’. Ayodhya, a space that should exist for all, without conflict, has come to symbolise a vicious and bigoted conflict between communities.

This voice of peace-loving and conscientious citizens, held hostage to the conflict, has appealed to the Supreme Court not to treat the dispute as just a property dispute between the litigants but as one that has a bearing on the fundamentals that this country stands on, its Constitution. Interveners include around three dozen Indians from across the country belonging to various walks of life.

Teesta Setalvad, Co-founder and Secretary, CJP said, “The outcome of this dispute, perpetrated and violent, has the potential to affect the very foundations on which Indian democracy stands.”

“It is time for the wounds caused by this conflict to heal and for peace-loving citizens of all communities, young and old, to speak up for an inclusive and forward-looking solution. This matter concerns the very soul of India,” she added.

CJP filed its intervention application to the civil suit on November 30 and is likely to present its stand when the hearing begins on December 5 in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the CJP has uploaded an online petition on its website, seeking ordinary Indians’ signing up in support of peace in Ayodhya.