The matter is straight forward. How far, a nation with millennia old culture, can go back in time to correct historical wrongs. Since emotions and sentiments can not be codified, the Courts of law can hardly have any role. The issue has to be settled with political wisdom and social grace. There is no other way, writes Prof. H C Pande
Ego, emotions and politics apart, the discussions in public, debates on TV channels, and, pleadings in the courts of law, on the mandir-masjid issues are disappointing. Incontrovertible facts stand out from historical documents from several unrelated sources. For ages the country was dotted with magnificent temples of which many remain in their pristine glory. The temples were repositories of wealth in the form of jewellery, gold and silver from the offerings of devotees over the centuries.
The temple treasures were the prime targets of invaders, particularly, in the 11th century. Successive bands of marauders led by Ghazni, Ghori and others, pillaged and looted the temple treasures, time and again. Muslim satraps built mosques over many a destroyed temples using the temple ruins itself. The issue of razing the temples and raising mosques over them does not need any scrutiny since well documented verified historical evidence exists. The discussions, debates, and, court proceedings on this issue are meaningless and a sheer waste of time. Historical twists and turns of time have made it a purely emotional, egotistical and political subject, and, it should be viewed in this context alone.
The public stance of the parties concerned in these disputes and their emotional outbursts on the issue are understandable and so is the political doublespeak, but, endless debates on the TV channels, on made up claims, is a waste of time, and, seem to have been organised purely for increased TRP ratings. However it is surprising that the Hon’ble Courts should allow unending arguments in these cases which are, in fact,’ open and shut’ type unless, of course, Mr.Justice too, is keen to remain in the news as long as possible.
The matter is straight forward. How far, a nation with millennia old culture, can go back in time to correct historical wrongs. Since emotions and sentiments can not be codified, the Courts of law can hardly have any role. The issue has to be settled with political wisdom and social grace. There is no other way.
(Prof. H C Pande is Vice Chancellor Emeritus, BITS, Mesra)
