Author: Pioneer News Service/ New
Delhi
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: November 6, 2003
Five days after a hitherto unknown
A A Rizvi brought the Ayodhya issue back on the discussion table by proposing
a Ram temple at the disputed site in lieu of a Jama Masjid elsewhere in
the town, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board claims it was an attempt
to divide the community along the Shia-Sunni line.
Unknown to many, Allamma Asghar
Rizvi, who's known to be resourceful according to insiders, sprung a surprise
by visiting temple spearhead Mahant Avaidyanath in Gorakhpur and proposing
a quid pro quo. His proposal required the Muslims to concede the disputed
land in exchange of five acres of land elsewhere for construction of the
Jama Masjid. The proposal has angered the AIMPLB, which has emerged as
the main body to negotiate on behalf of minorities. Dismissing Mr Rizvi,
the self-appointed chairman of Ayodhya Jama Masjid Trust, as "beneath the
Board's dignity to comment upon", secretary Abdul Rahim Qureshi told The
Pioneer from Hyderabad, "It looks like an attempt to create a Shia-Sunni
rift." Rizvi has been in touch with Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas chairman Mahant
Nrityagopal Das. After the failure of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati's
peace formula, the RJN chief's claim that talks were still continuing with
Muslim leaders had led to many speculations. While Mr Rizvi is a lightweight,
a man of resources and general-secretary of the defunct Shia Political
Conference, sources in the minority camp said that he still served the
purpose of "creating confusion".
There is a history of Shia-Sunni
differences, real or perceived, on the Babri dispute. When the Kanchi Shankaracharya
had proposed talks over a formula he had drafted this summer, the response
from the Shia cleric and AIMPLB Vice- President, Kalbe Sadiq, was visibly
enthusiastic. Suspecting it to be a trap and unwilling to commit on the
issue, the Board upbraided the cleric and urged him to exercise restraint.
His comments and the Board's objection created an impression that the Shias
were in favour of a solution while teh Sunnis were being belligerent. Consequently,
the Board nominated Maulana Sajjad Nomani as the spokesman and barred others
from speaking in an attempt to send out the signal that there were no differences
on the issue.
Sceptical but hopeful, Qureshi said
attempts to divide the community over the sensitive issue will not succeed.
"The respected Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has come out strongly in
our favour and all Shias are with us," he asserted.
Said SQR Illyasi, spokesman, "Maulana
Jawwad has clearly stated in the court that a mosque is a mosque and the
community stands as one on the issue."