The AIMPLB, an apex body of Indian Muslims, is likely to expel its executive member, Maulana Syed Salman Hussaini Nadvi, for favouring handing over disputed land in Ayodhya, where Babri Masjid once stood, for the construction of the Ram temple.
Taking strong exception to the proposal, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has formed a four-member committee to take disciplinary action against Nadvi, an eminent cleric who mooted the proposal during a meeting with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
The committee comprises AIMPLB President Rabey Hasani Nadvi, General Secretary Wali Rahmani and executive members Arshad Madani and Khalid Saifullah Rahmani and it is expected to take a decision on Sunday.
The deliberations at the three-day crucial plenary, which began here Friday, were dominated by the controversy.
Sources in AIMPLB said Salman Nadvi, who teaches at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, a leading seminary in Lucknow, may be expelled from the board for not only taking a stand in contravention of its traditional stand on Babri Masjid but also making allegations against the board's leadership.
Addressing the meeting on Saturday, Wali Rahmani said that "some elements" are trying to misguide people on Babri Masjid issue. In his report submitted at the plenary, he said the board had taken an unambiguous stand that "once a mosque, always a mosque".
Stating that the board is ready for negotiations, he said the same should based on justice and honour.
The general body meeting of the board being attended by the executive, founder members, general members and special invitees discussed the Babri Masjid issue.
Rahmani briefed the members about the status of the main case in the Supreme Court. He said in his report that the court already expressed the view that the case is related to the title of the land and does not relate to the faith or belief. He told the meeting that the related documents had already been submitted to the court.
With the executive meeting on Friday pulling up Salman Nadvi for his proposal, he stayed away from the plenary meeting on the second day and reportedly left Hyderabad. Earlier, talking to reporters, he alleged that two executive members Kamal Farooqi and S.Q.R. Ilyas humiliated him.
Salman Nadvi defended his formula saying this would ensure peace and communal harmony. He alleged that there is dictatorship in the board and few people are controlling it.
Talking to IANS on Saturday, Ilyas denied the allegations made by Salman Nadvi against him. "I initiated the discussion but all those who spoke opposed the proposal as it is the well-known stand of the board that the land of mosque can't be sold, gifted or alienated. This is an attempt to malign the board," he said.
Ilyas, who is convenor of the Babri Masjid committee of the board, said Nadvi should have raised any issue in the AIMPLB meeting before speaking publicly. He said Nadvi's action had damaged the board's reputation at a time when it is holding a crucial meeting here to discuss various important issues.
"If anybody has any issue, he may discuss it in the board. You can't go and talk on behalf of the board. Mr Salman Nadvi is not an ordinary person. He is the executive member of the board. If he doesn't agree with the board, let him resign and then do whatever he wants," said Ilyas.
He also said that if the board failed to take action against Salman Nadvi, it would damage the image of the board.
