Muslims hail Bhagwat's stand on Gyanvapi issue

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 04-06-2022

Muslim leader who made comments on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on Gyanvapi mosque

Mansoorudin Faridi/New Delhi

The statement of Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on the Gyanvapi Masjid and other such cases of Hindus laying claim to the mosques, has been welcomed by Muslim intellectuals and scholars. Mostly his remarks that the “present-day Hindus or Muslims are not responsible for the history” is being seen as reconciliatory although, many expect him to use his good offices to end all conflicts.

Others said while the RSS chief has made it clear that his organization doesn’t want “Hindus to look for Shivling under every mosque,” it is time for the government to clarify its position on the issue.

Professor Akhtarul Wasey, Director, Khusro Foundation, said that it’s a positive statement in which the RSS leader has also given the solution “with boldness and clarity” to the burning issue that is causing tension in the country. However, he added, “ We should understand that kings took many decisions for power and those had nothing to do with his subjects.”

Wase said that the unity of the people of India is the most important. He said this message should be followed by the government bringing clarity to its stand on the issue.

Dr. Razi-ul-Islam Nadvi, Jamaat-e-Islami, said Bhagwat’s statement was “very good and should be welcomed.” He hoped that having made his stand clear, Bhagwat would walk the talk and it would have an impact on the ground situation. Nadvi said that Mohan Bhagwat needed to admonish those raking up the issue of mosque ownerships and tell them that it’s time to bury the past and move on.

Qasim Rasool Ilyasi, a member, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that RSS chief Bhagwat's statement has no value unless it has an impact on the ground. His statements have been considered very positive in the past, but they have had no practical impact.

"On one hand, he says that they (RSS) are sticking to their promise that after Ram Babri Masjid no further claim on mosques will be made and on the other hand he is saying the Court could decide and it should be acceptable to all,” he said. This way he is trying to justify the Gyanvapi Masjid case.

Who will guarantee that this will not happen in Mathura tomorrow?

Ilyasi said if Mohan Bhagwat believes that the Indian Muslims and Hindus have the same DNA, then why doesn’t he speak when Muslims are targeted on the streets.

Chief of the International Sufi Caravan, Mufti Manzoor Zia, said Bhagwat’s remarks are “a slap on the face of those who raised the controversy over the Gyanvapi mosque and they must take a cue from this statement. “The Conflict will tarnish not only the image of the country but also its reputation and cause international embarrassment. This will give the wrong message to the world about the minorities of the country.”

Dr. Maulana Mufti Mohammad Mukarram Ahmed, Shahi Imam of Delhi's Fatehpuri Masjid, and eminent scholar termed RSS chief Bhagwat's statement positive and asked him to work proactively on what he believes in. “People who vitiate the environment should be stopped, otherwise all good intentions and statements made will have no impact.” He said that if they (RSS-Hindus) talk of peace and harmony and expect unity, then we (Muslims) are with them. He said, “Mohan Bhagwat is a great personality; We appeal to him to follow his statement with action on the ground so that the change is seen.”

Dr. S N Pathan, former Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University said that Mohan Bhagwat's candid statement should be welcomed by all. “He condemned radical Hindutva, from which Muslims should also learn a lesson and stay away from religious bigotry.” He said Bhagwat’s statement was clear and forward-looking.

Dr. Pathan said: “Muslim leaders should also avoid rhetoric, as it confuses instead of solving the problem. Not only this, anti-social elements also take advantage of this confusion.” He said the tradition of Hindu-Muslim unity in India will continue notwithstanding irritants. He further said that Mohan Bhagwat has made his position clear. After that, there should be no misunderstanding about the RSS.