Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday made it clear that the Ayodhya verdict given by the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court has not, in any way, justified the act of December 6, 1992 in which the three domes of the disputed structure were demolished.
To a question whether the judgment dilutes the case relating to the demolition of Babri Masjid, he said this judgment has nothing to do with the act took place December 6, 1992. "That act was completely unacceptable and it was an act done by people who took law and order into their hands. That remains, in my view, a criminal act. Also, please don't attribute to the judges (of the Lucknow Bench) any attempt to justify what was done in 1992," he said.
Expressing satisfaction over what he called the "respectful and dignified" response of people to the Ayodhya verdict, Chidambaram said the Centre has no role in the issue except to maintain status quo and ensure law and order across the country.
He told a press conference in Delhi that it was a fair assumption that the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on the dispute will go to Supreme Court which may pass an interim order and take it up for hearing.
"There is no role for the Centre now. The judges have given a stay and ordered a status quo (on the situation as obtaining) before the verdict. The judgment is not operational as of now.
"The judgment is indeed an important document. But it is not operational. It is a fair assumption that appeals may be lodged (in Supreme Court). It is a fair assumption that the Supreme Court will pass interim orders. Therefore, there is no need now to comment on the judgment which is not operational and status quo as decreed in a Supreme Court order in 1994 will be maintained," he said.
When asked a number of questions on the subject, he appealed to the media and television channels not to "over interpret" the judgment and devote extraordinary time and space to it.
On the law and order situation, he said the country has been extremely peaceful and there have been no incidents reported from anywhere. "We are pleased and satisfied with the response of people which has been respectful and dignified," he said quoting the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who made an appeal to the people to maintain calm in the wake of the verdict.
To a question on UP Chief Minister Mayawati's allegation that Centre did not provide adequate police forces, Chidambaram said, "I thought the UP government is maintaining law and order with the assistance of the forces provided by the Central government. "If the UP government thinks that the Centre should maintain law and order with the assistance of UP Police, so be it," he said.
To a question whether Congress party was jittery to the verdict over which BJP was gloating, he said for the views of the party, "you should ask the Congress party spokesperson".
The Home Minister called on the media to highlight the cases of executions by Maoists through what he called their ‘kangaroo courts'. The number of ‘Kangaroo courts' by Maoists has increased from 38 last year to 43 this August and Maoists have executed 21 people through these ‘kangaroo courts' compared to 11 last year, Chidambaram said.The Home Minister said interlocutors to speak to sections of Kashmiri people would be appointed very soon. PTI
