VHP’s Ayodhya Campaign Launched on Indira Gandhi’s Advice
Statement of George Fernandes, MP, New Delhi, 19 Nov. 1990
I was at Ayodhya yesterday. Accompanying me were Harsh Vardhan, MP, Hari Kewal Prasad, MP, Mohan Singh, MLC, Ganesh Dixit, MLA, and several Janata Dal and Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat functionaries and workers.
We visited the Digambar Akhara where we had a long meeting with Baba Paramhans Das, the head of the Mandir and also the Chairman of the Ram Janam Mandir Nyas and with Mahant Nritya Gopal Dass, head of Maniram Chawani. Mahant Dharam Das of Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya was also present.
I would like to share the following observations:
1. Conflicting figures on the total number of people killed on October 30 and November 2 were mentioned to us. The Central Government must interact with the concerned State Governments in the country and identify those killed in police firing in Ayodhya.
2. Grave mistakes were committed while drawing up the strategy to protect the Babari Masjid structure from any damage. The Chief Minister's strong and sometimes harsh words were not backed with adequate action. It would have been possible to segregate the Kar Sevaks from the large number of people who had come to Ayodhya to do Panchkosi Parikrama, and that would have reduced the pressure on the security forces deployed in Ayodhya.
3. Many people in Ayodhya believe that it is still possible for the religious leaders from both sides to sit together and find an amicable solution.
4. If the religious leaders cannot come to any amicable understanding, the matter should be left to the courts—where it now is—to decide. The advice and direction given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in his letter of January 6, 1950, to Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, Chief Minister of UP, should be followed in letter and spirit both by the disputants and the Governments.
5. We were shocked to hear that Mrs. Indira Gandhi had advised the leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in September, 1984 that if they (VHP) were really serious about taking over the Babari Masjid to build the Ram Janambhoomi Temple they should mount a massive agitation so that she could then plead that she had no option but to concede the demand. The opening of the locks in 1986 and the consent to lay the Shilanyas in 1989, both with the personal clearance of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, are looked at as a part of a single design by the Congress (I) to win the Hindu vote first in 1984 and then in 1989, though without much success....
6. The Janata Dal, the parties of the National Front, the Left parties, Gandhian and all other secular groups, trade unions and individuals need to jointly launch an intensive campaign to expose the unscrupulous exploitation of religion for political purposes by the BJP and the Congress-I....
7. The construction of the Ram Janambhoomi Temple at Ayodhya must be taken up by a committee to be set up by the people of Ayodhya and supported by a National Fund Raising Committee....