Muslim bodies differ on Babri Masjid  

New Delhi: The Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) does not agree with the Insaf Party’s stand that the Babri Masjid could be handed over to the Hindus if it was established that a Ram temple had been demolished to construct the mosque. The BMAC central committee member, Javed Habib, said on Dec. 13 the Vishwa Hindu Parishad would have to prove that the mosque was constructed on Ram’s Janmashtami (birthplace) and not merely over a Ram temple. The VHP, he pointed out, has shifted its stance regarding the site being Ram’s birthplace. Habib said prior to 1949, claims were made over the Ram Chabootra as being Ram’s birthplace, but now the VHP was stating that the area inside the mosque was the actual birthplace, after illegally installing the idols there. The Ram Chabootra is the land inside the mosque compound but outside the actual structure. Ram could not have been born at two places, the VHP must decide where exactly his birthplace is located. As for the VHP’s new stand that the birthplace was a “matter of faith with the Hindus”. Habib said faith cannot keep changing in this fashion. (Telegraph Dec. 14)