Member of Parliament from Hyderabad and the chief of All India Majilis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Prime Minister for visiting the Bhoomi Puja ceremony of Ayodhya Temple.
He also questioned the Prime Minister whether he would be attending in a personal capacity or as the Prime Minister of India. He also warned that the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya would open a Pandora’s box as many would now start reclaiming disputed religious land in Mathura and Kashi. He said,
“The Prime Minister should tell the country if he is attending in an individual capacity or as the Prime Minister. If he is going as the Prime Minister, it violates the cause of secularism, which is the basic structure of the Constitution.”
Owaisi Predicts More Such Cases
Owaisi said that the issue of Ram temple was a divisive one and also said that it weakened faith in the rule of law. He also said that those who were accused in the demolition of Babri Masjid will be invited for the ceremony on August 5th. He also said that if Prime Minister will go and lay the foundation to the temple, all other places of worship should also be opened for devotees. He reiterated his concern,
“Our concern is that once again, these issues may be raked up for masjids which at some point in history, were not masjids.”
In the judgment, the supreme court had said that the places of worship special act of 1991 would continue to stay. However, Owaisi believes that the Modi government could amend it using their majority.
“The 1991 act can be repealed by Narendra Modi using his majority just like Article 370 was removed in a breach of Constitutional promise. The act may be repealed or it may be amended to say that it does not apply to these sites.”
Source: Free Press Journal
