Council of Indian Muslims (UK)

British Indian Muslims have urged the Indian government to hand over the Babri Mosque site to Muslims and let them rebuild the mosque there.

Marking the 17th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Mosque on 6 December 1992 in Ayodhya, the Chairman of Council of Indian Muslims—UK (CIM) Mr Mohammad Munaf Zeena said, “The demolition of Babri Mosque and Gujarat massacre are two of the most brazen crimes committed against Indian Muslims and the tragedy is that the perpetrators of these crimes are still roaming free.

“One wonders what the Liberhan Commission has been doing that was setup to investigate and submit a report on Babri Mosque demolition. We urge the Indian Government to give a deadline to the Liberhan Commission to complete its report and submit it to the Government.”

Zeena further said, “This is a sad commentary on the state of affairs that despite the common knowledge about not only those who vandalised and tore down the historic Babri Mosque but about the perpetrators of post Babri Mosque demolition riots in Bombay, clearly identified in Justice Sri krishna Commission report, no action has been taken against them. Is it not tantamount to justice delayed means justice denied?”

Babri Mosque was demolished by Hindu zealots on 6th December 1992 who claim that the Mosque stood on the site of the birth place of Hindu deity Rama. The Mosque was built in 1528 by Baqi Beg Tashqandi, the Governor General of Mughal Emperor Babar to mark the victory of Mughal army over Pathan King Sikandar Lodhi and there is no historic or archaeological evidence to prove either of Babar’s going to Ayodhya or any existence of a Hindu temple on Babri Mosque site. With the connivance of the administration the Mosque was closed to Muslims in 1949 and converted into a de facto temple after the statues of Rama and his consort Sita were stealthily put there.

Zeena also congratulated the world renowned seminary Darul-uloom Deoband for directing the Muslims to respect the feelings of Hindu brethren and avoid cow slaughter on Eid. “We congratulate Darul Uloom Deoband for repeating its advice, that it has been doing for the last few years, to Indian Muslims not to slaughter cow on EiduZuha and respect the feelings of Hindu brethren. This is a clear message to everyone that like all other Indians, Indian Muslims want to live in peace and harmony and work for the unity and progress of the country.” He said.