The Supreme Court has settled a historical dispute with a more political solution)-Hindus get to keep the Ram Janambhoomi, Muslims can build a mosque away from the disputed site.
The merits of the arguments which the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi – led bench considered to give the title of the land to Ram Lalla deity over the claims of Sunni Waqf managing the Babri masjid may get dissected in the coming days but the initial reactions of various stakeholders were directed towards welcoming the verdict.
The verdict is a concrete step in the resolution of the 500 years old dispute which in the last 30 years had strained the social fabric of the country and in stages has been influencing the polity of the country. Significantly, the landmark judgment is likely to be a milestone in not just deciding the issues of faith through legal route but also have an impact on the way two dominant communities in the country in perceive themselves socially.
The immediate impact of this verdict will strengthen the political narrative which takes into account the aspirations of the majority community. This verdict will be seen in line with correcting the other “wrongs” through removal of Article 370, implementation of NRC, and even criminalising Triple Talaq. The right wing shift in country’s polity is expected to a decisive turn with this verdict.
The verdict has certainly come as a huge booster for Prime Minister Narendra Modi image as his government will get an opportunity to build a temple through a trust. His image of being ‘Hindu hridaysamrat’ get further cemented. Modi will now seen as the one leader from the saffron pantheon who has fulfilled two demand – abrogation of 370 and building a grand temple. The BJP is expected receive political dividends of the decision in the coming years when temple construction begins. As of now, they have reiterated that judgment be seen as no victory or no loss affair.
The other political parties seeing the mood also welcomed the Supreme Court decision with a hope no one indulges in triumphalism.
“The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody. Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail,” PM Modi tweeted.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, BSP Supremo Mayawati, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and Congress welcomed apex court judgment saying it will restore peace and take away the political issue being created by a few. The Opposition parties may feel the pressure of this verdict as majority sentiment is steered, with BJP seen as beneficiary. But will Opposition parties be able to keep up pressure on the government on other bread and butter issues before the common man.
A lot will now depend on if the hindutva bodies will push for “freeing” of other disputed religious structures in Mathura and Varanasi. With BJP’s promise to abrogate 370 and build temple sewing fruition, there is likelihood of demands for implementing uniform civil code in the country get traction in future.
The concern on everyone’s mind will be that peace continues to be maintained in coming a days, and peaceful coexistence of various communities is not disturbed.
