UNDER the aegis of Pragna Bharati, a seminar was held at Mekaster Auditorium, Osmania University, Hyderabad on December 21, 2010 where the chief speaker was Dr Koenraad Elst, a renowned Belgian writer and orientalist. The Seminar was presided and addressed by Justice Subhashan Reddy a retired Chief Justice of High Court and Human Rights Commission chairman. Dr Koenraad is one of the most well known western writers to actively defend the Hindutva ideology whose writings are frequently featured in India’s nationalist publications.
Dr Hanuman Chowdary chairman of Pragna Bharati lamented that devabhakti is increasing and deshabhakti is decreasing in the country. He recalled that Government of India rebuilt Somnath temple and this should be an inspiration for taking similar initiative for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.
Justice Subhashan Reddy talked about the judicial side of the Ayodhya issue in the light of the recent verdict by Allahabad High Court. He told that the verdict was not strictly based on evidence but it is a verdict given by a full bench of Allahabad High Court which stipulated that one third of the land will be given to Ram Lalla, one third to the Sunni Waqf and one third to Nirmohi Akhara. The part of the land given to the Hindus is where they kept their idols. Also, another part of the verdict says that the Sunni Waqf board’s suit is dismissed. He also said that Justice Dharma Vir Sharma in his judgment totally accepted the case put up by the followers of Hindu religion and said that Lord Ram was born at the site and there cannot be claim for the Muslims for this place. Justice Khan in his judgment said that mosque was created on the ruins of temples. According to the common judgment the land belongs to the temple and mosque was built by demolishing the temple. He quoted the judgment mentioning that Hindus have got the right to pray there and Waqf Board will still have one third of the place and in case any of this land is found short it will be made up from the adjoining land acquired by the Central Government.
Justice Subhashan Reddy also noted that Supreme Court is seized of the matter and can see to it that the matter is amicably settled by eliciting opinion from all sections. He also said that one constitutional amendment was passed by adding one word ‘secular’ which was not there originally. He said that secularism is different from religion and they have to be read separately. There is a thin line of separation between the two as pronounced in the Bommai judgment and this consideration is taken into account while delivering any verdict of similar nature.
Dr Koenraad Elst in his address highlighted the importance of Ayodhya as a symbol of ancient Indian civilization.
Dr Koenraad concluded his talk by exhorting Muslims to be free from mental prison of negative thinking. He likened Muslims to Sita in captive and should be liberated from such captivity so as to live in peace and in a better harmonious society.
A brief question answer session was conducted then. Dr Hanuman Chowdary to a question replied that Rahul Gandhi does not know how to call Hindu resistance and uses the word Hindu terrorism. He recalled as to how Shivaji resisted Aurangajeb’s ruthless rule and protected Hindu glory. To another question as to how long will it take for construction of Ram temple, Dr Koenraad replied that a lot depends on Supreme Court’s speedy disposal of appeal cases against Allahabad judgment. The meeting then concluded with vote of thanks.
(Report from Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Hyderabad)
