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DISCUSSION ON AYODHYA PROBLEM
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Discussion on Ayodhya Problem (Relates to the demolition of the so-called Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on the 6 December 1992)
After the demolition of the so-called Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on the 6h December 1992, the entire country was agitated due the templemosque controversy, there were riots in the country. At that time a penal discussion of leading personalities comprising Dr. Bharill, Justice Kudal Saheb etc. was held in Jaipur Studio of Durdarshan. The excerpts of Dr. Bharill's talk are as under -
Question: The atmosphere in the entire country is extremely tense due to Ram Mandir and Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Today, Dr. Bahrill is amongst us. He is a spiritual thinker. This problem is related to the spiritual faith. What are your views in this regard?
Dr. Saheb : Great man Bhagwan Ram, who is an ideal for the mankind, is ingrained in every sinew of the country. Therefore, if there is any spiritual person in whom the masses have faith, he is Ram only. The entire world knows that he was born in Ayodhya. Therefore if his temple will not be constructed in Ayodhya then where else it would be constructed? Temple must be constructed thereat only and it should be so grand that the world should be astonished to see it.
The real question is that Ayodhya of Ram was not of 50 or 100 meters. According to Jain scriptures. Ayodhya was 12 yojan long and 9 yojan wide. One yojan is equivalent of four kosa i.e. eight miles. Accordingly, Ayodhya was 96 miles long and 72 miles wide. It is not possible to determine easily as to where exactly Ram was born in such a large Ayodhya
Ram Mandir must be built in Ayodhya, it must be huge and beautiful; but our situation today is that it should not be away from the particular spot even by an inch, and due to this enormous problem has arisen
for the country. This is not good for all of us. Our Spiritual Leaders and persons like us must convince our masses that in the kingdom of Ram place was available even for the brother of his greatest opponent, Ravan. If there were the kingdom of Ram at present, would Ram have declined permission to persons of another faith to construct religious place for their faith in Ayodhya?
Question : The dispute seems to be more on the issue that if the temple is constructed, where it should be constructed. Some people might be of the view that whether or not the temple is constructed, but ......?
The controversial situation that is involved in this thinking - as a spiritual thinker do you think that the temple must be constructed only at the place for which there is insistence or at some other place to avoid controversy?
Dr. Saheb : There is no question of the temple not being constructed, the temple must be constructed and it must be better than the best but it must not be forgotten that the faith as also happiness of the entire country is related to this. If not even a drop of blood is shed and the temple is constructed then not only the prestige of the country would be enhanced in the world, but that would be the real temple. If the temple is constructed after lot of blood shed and rioting, then it would not be the real temple of Ram, however grand or beautiful it may be.
I wish that nobody makes it as an issue of defeat or triumph. Whatever is constructed thereat, we must not consider that one party has won and the other got defeated-must not see in this light. Every Indian must feel that it is his victory - we must find such a solution through mutual negotiations. Our saints and religious heads are highly intelligent, possess high understanding and are lovers of peace. If they so desire, they can sit together and find a solution.
Question: We live in a democracy. In democracy, minorities are respected. It is the responsibility of the majority to give them respect. Do you think that the majority of today is prepared to give this respect?
Answer: It must be prepared. My feeling is that there are 87 crore Indians and the temple should represent their feelings, the feelings of all must be represented in it. The free service (kar seva) that would be
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