Introduction
I'm taken back in time; it was in '98 I think when I was the Liaison Officer to George Fernandes, the then Raksha Mantri while I was posted at Kochi. We were travelling from the airport towards the Southern Naval Command Officers' Mess where he was to stay over the next three days and it was during that journey, that he spoke very wistfully about his political mentor, Shri Ram Manohar Lohia. In the course of the conversation, he recalled Lohia's words that, "Religion was long term politics".
The Ayodhya dispute can be classified as long term politics!
Background
The Ayodhya dispute, one of the most sensitive issues, politically and communally, has been searching for a lasting solution for the last 69 years. The issue got more complicated after the disputed structure (Babri Masjid) was demolished on 06 Dec '92. A brief chronology of events from the date is listed below:-
2010 The Allahabad High Court had said that the 22.7 acres of the disputed land in Ayodhya
be equally divided among the Sunni Wakf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.
After that as many as 14 appeals have been filed before the Supreme Court.
The matter has lately gained momentum legally and the Supreme Court seems to be
eager to settle it once and for all.
08 Mar '19 Supreme Court takes a major step as it appoints a 3-member mediation panel to talk
to all the stakeholders and try to reach a consensus on the dispute.
The mediation panel comprises of former Supreme Court Judge FMI Kalifulla,
spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior
advocate Sriram Panchu, a renowned mediator.
31 Jul '19 The mediation committee reports to the Supreme Court that it has failed to arrive at
a consensus.
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, headed by the CJI, has begun to hear the
arguments of the stakeholders in open court, from early Aug '19.
The Twist
It now transpires that the mediation panel's efforts have not been unsuccessful (Why the panel reported that-a-way, is a matter that needs to be put in the right perspective) and that it was tantalisingly close to a settlement requiring may be, another fortnight!
Today, the Supreme Court has directed that the mediation can go on a parallel track while it continues to hear the case in court. It's hoped that the verdict would be arrived by Nov '19!
My take.
It is my fond hope that this dispute, too, is behind us at the earliest so that the country can concentrate on all round development!
Tailpiece.
It was another day, devoid of rains except for a couple of sporadic showers. The power interruptions were frequent and irritating. Lekha had gone to the department store to fetch sundries by about 10 o'clock and returned within about 45 mts.
I'm taken back in time; it was in '98 I think when I was the Liaison Officer to George Fernandes, the then Raksha Mantri while I was posted at Kochi. We were travelling from the airport towards the Southern Naval Command Officers' Mess where he was to stay over the next three days and it was during that journey, that he spoke very wistfully about his political mentor, Shri Ram Manohar Lohia. In the course of the conversation, he recalled Lohia's words that, "Religion was long term politics".
The Ayodhya dispute can be classified as long term politics!
Background
The Ayodhya dispute, one of the most sensitive issues, politically and communally, has been searching for a lasting solution for the last 69 years. The issue got more complicated after the disputed structure (Babri Masjid) was demolished on 06 Dec '92. A brief chronology of events from the date is listed below:-
2010 The Allahabad High Court had said that the 22.7 acres of the disputed land in Ayodhya
be equally divided among the Sunni Wakf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.
After that as many as 14 appeals have been filed before the Supreme Court.
The matter has lately gained momentum legally and the Supreme Court seems to be
eager to settle it once and for all.
08 Mar '19 Supreme Court takes a major step as it appoints a 3-member mediation panel to talk
to all the stakeholders and try to reach a consensus on the dispute.
The mediation panel comprises of former Supreme Court Judge FMI Kalifulla,
spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior
advocate Sriram Panchu, a renowned mediator.
31 Jul '19 The mediation committee reports to the Supreme Court that it has failed to arrive at
a consensus.
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, headed by the CJI, has begun to hear the
arguments of the stakeholders in open court, from early Aug '19.
The Twist
It now transpires that the mediation panel's efforts have not been unsuccessful (Why the panel reported that-a-way, is a matter that needs to be put in the right perspective) and that it was tantalisingly close to a settlement requiring may be, another fortnight!
Today, the Supreme Court has directed that the mediation can go on a parallel track while it continues to hear the case in court. It's hoped that the verdict would be arrived by Nov '19!
My take.
It is my fond hope that this dispute, too, is behind us at the earliest so that the country can concentrate on all round development!
Tailpiece.
It was another day, devoid of rains except for a couple of sporadic showers. The power interruptions were frequent and irritating. Lekha had gone to the department store to fetch sundries by about 10 o'clock and returned within about 45 mts.
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