Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid: French author

Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid: French author
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajiv-Gandhi-was-indirectly-responsible-for-demolition-of-Babri-Masjid-French-author/articleshow/6559449.cms


NEW DELHI: Ahead of the court verdict on Ayodhya dispute, a French writer on India says it would be a moment of reckoning and an opportunity for Indian leadership to bring Muslims back into mainstream.

Is Rajiv suspected?


Babri incident 1992
"September 24 would be the next turning point in India's history. I hope the judges are aware of it. There should be efforts for reconciliation and the initiative should come from the Hindutva forces. Triumphant attitude on their part would invite trouble," said Dr Christophe Jaffrelot, who teaches South Asian Politics and History at Sciences Po in Paris.

Dr Christophe Jaffrelot

The author said the saffron brigade will have to think twice before relaunching the tirade against Muslims as the middle class has taken a stand against it in 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
For Muslims, he said, an unfavourable judgement would be like a double-edged sword as it could be seen as accepting defeat again and again.
"It's the time to show that Muslims are part of India and change their psyche of fear. Me and my research students surveyed 12 Indian cities and most of Muslims there see demolition of Babri Masjid as a turning point," said Jaffrelot, speaking at the launch of his book, " Religion, Caste and Politics in India".
He said Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid as he tried to play one community against the other.
"From Shah Bano case to opening up of the Masjid on VHP's request to launching his election campaign from Faizabad calling it Ram's land, he was playing Hindus against Muslims and vice-versa," he said.
He, however, refused to accept that BJP is a spent force and saw Bihar elections as a litmus test for the party.
"You cannot reduce BJP to anti-minority agenda only. They have other cards up their sleeve. It may come to power not because it will do something but because Congress will fail to do things. UPA Government is divided and paralytic at the moment and a strong PM is absent to manage the team," said Jaffrelot.

He opined that Rahul Gandhi becoming PM in the future depends on whether UPA comes to power again. "Congress needs a Gandhi. Sans a Gandhi, it is faction ridden. Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee moved out when there was no Gandhi around. No doubt Congress will promote Rahul for next PM's job," he said.

When asked about Narender Modi's chances to be the PM, Jaffrelot said it can happen only by default.
"You cannot make allies with too much of extreme agenda. Modi can be a strong leader but in that case, BJP will run out of allies. As long as RSS has a say in appointing BJP President, Modi has no chance," he said.
His book explores the transformation of the Nehruvian approach, since the 1980s resting upon three pillars - secularism and democracy in the political domain, state intervention in economy and policy of non-alignment.


Read more: Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid: French author - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajiv-Gandhi-was-indirectly-responsible-for-demolition-of-Babri-Masjid-French-author/articleshow/6559449.cms#ixzz0zlEfprUI

Rajiv Gandhi's communal tactics paved way for Babri: French writer
September 15, 2010 6:12:41 PM

PTI | New Delhi Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Ahead of the court verdict on Ayodhya dispute, a French writer on India says it would be a moment of reckoning and an opportunity for Indian leadership to bring Muslims back into mainstream.

"September 24 would be the next turning point in India's history. I hope the judges are aware of it. There should be efforts for reconciliation and the initiative should come from the Hindutva forces. Triumphant attitude on their part would invite trouble," said Dr Christophe Jaffrelot, who teaches South Asian Politics and History at Sciences Po in Paris.

The author said the saffron brigade will have to think twice before relaunching the tirade against Muslims as the middle class has taken a stand against it in 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

For Muslims, he said, an unfavourable judgement would be like a double-edged sword as it could be seen as accepting defeat again and again.

"It's the time to show that Muslims are part of India and change their psyche of fear. Me and my research students surveyed 12 Indian cities and most of Muslims there see demolition of Babri Masjid as a turning point," said Jaffrelot, speaking at the launch of his book, "Religion, Caste and Politics in India".

He said Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid as he tried to play one community against the other.
"From Shah Bano case to opening up of the Masjid on VHP's request to launching his election campaign from Faizabad calling it Ram's land, he was playing Hindus against Muslims and vice-versa," he said.

He, however, refused to accept that BJP is a spent force and saw Bihar elections as a litmus test for the party. "You cannot reduce BJP to anti-minority agenda only. They have other cards up their sleeve. It may come to power not because it will do something but because Congress will fail to do things. UPA Government is divided and paralytic at the moment and a strong PM is absent to manage the team," said Jaffrelot.

He opined that Rahul Gandhi becoming PM in the future depends on whether UPA comes to power again. "Congress needs a Gandhi. Sans a Gandhi, it is faction ridden. Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee moved out when there was no Gandhi around. No doubt Congress will promote Rahul for next PM's job," he said.

When asked about Narender Modi's chances to be the PM, Jaffrelot said it can happen only by default.

"You cannot make allies with too much of extreme agenda. Modi can be a strong leader but in that case, BJP will run out of allies. As long as RSS has a say in appointing BJP President, Modi has no chance," he said.

His book explores the transformation of the Nehruvian approach, since the 1980s resting upon three pillars - secularism and democracy in the political domain, state intervention in economy and policy of non-alignment.


http://www.dailypioneer.com/283294/Rajiv-Gandhis-communal-tactics-paved-way-for-Babri-French-writer.html


Note: Changing the spelling in Jaffrelot's name...


God Believers assail Jaffrelota for alleging Rajiv Gandhi’s hand in Babri Masjid
MIL/TOI, Sep 15, 2010. Author:

New Delhi, India: September 15, 2010 – IR Summary/TOI –
The verdict of demolition of Babri Masjid is eagerly awaited and before it is announced by the court, Dr. Christophe Jaffrelota , French writer on India, who teaches South Asian Politics and History at Sciences Politics in Paris said on launch of his book " Religion, Caste and Politics in India” that Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid as he tried to play one community against the other, which God Believers (GBA) assailed.
Dr. Raj Baldev, Cosmo Theorist, Social Reformer and Lead Man of God Believers Association (GBA), who are dedicated to promote Naturism, World Peace and help save the Earth by controlling Global Warming, assailed the book of Christophe Jaffrelota and undesirable comments being author.Dr. Raj Baldev, GBA President said, “The remarks given by Jaffrelota are misleading and has a grave damaging effect on India’s Unity.Dr. Raj Baldev said, “All communities whether Hindus, Muslims, Sikh, Christians or others, all have equal fundamental rights in this country as per Indian Constitution.”
Members of all communities in India are enjoying all the privileges as citizens of India, as such no question of any discrimination among them,” Dr. Raj Baldev, Lead Man of God Believers said.
“To offer such comments by a French Writer in an undesirable manner, is an attack on India's unity, which I as Lead Man of God Believers, hereby condemn along with all members of this organization, his remarks are undesirable.
“ GBA would like all Indian citizens irrespective of any communities that they should not give Christophe Jaffrelota a free license to provoke or abet one Indian community against the other.”
Dr. Raj Baldev, Cosmo Theorist and GBA Lead Man said,”Rajiv Gandhi was a great Patriot as I known him, I met him several times while I had been President of National Integration Assembly (NIA), and he always encouraged national integration, and to say anything undesirable against such a noble personality like Rajiv Gandhi, India’s ex Prime Minister, is an act which the God Believers Association can’t tolerate or allow to be propagated against disintegration of one community against the other in India.”
Dr. Raj Baldev, Cosmo Theorist, also said, “ We Indians don’t want any sympathy or suggestions from a French Writer how the Indian communities should behave in India.”

Christophe Jaffrelota’s remarks:
"September 24 would be the next turning point in India's history. I hope the judges are aware of it. There should be efforts for reconciliation and the initiative should come from the Hindutva forces. Triumphant attitude on their part would invite trouble."
The author said the saffron brigade will have to think twice before re-launching the tirade against Muslims as the middle class has taken a stand against it in 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
For Muslims, he said, an unfavorable judgment would be like a double-edged sword as it could be seen as accepting defeat again and again.
"It's the time to show that Muslims are part of India and change their psyche of fear. Me and my research students surveyed 12 Indian cities and most of Muslims there see demolition of Babri Masjid as a turning point," said Jaffrelot, speaking at the launch of his book, " Religion, Caste and Politics in India.”He said Rajiv Gandhi was indirectly responsible for demolition of Babri Masjid as he tried to play one community against the other.
"From Shah Bano case to opening up of the Masjid on VHP's request to launching his election campaign from Faizabad calling it Ram's land, he was playing Hindus against Muslims and vice-versa," he said.
http://internationalreporter.com/News-6110/god-believers-assail-jaffrelota-for-alleging-rajiv-gandhi%E2%80%99s-hand-in-babri-masjid.html
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Babri verdict: Government appeals for calm
NEW DELHI: Wary of extreme reactions to the Allahabad High Court judgement on Ayodhya dispute expected on September 24, the government on Thursday appealed for peace, saying the judicial recourse will not end till all sections are satisfied and further legal remedies would be available.

NEW DELHI: Fearing trouble over the upcoming judgment by the Allahabad High Court on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, the government on Thursday appealed to the people to maintain equanimity and tranquility following the verdict, which is expected on September 24.

A resolution passed by the Union Cabinet said the judgment needed to be treated with utmost respect and called upon people to remember that the high court verdict would be only a step in the judicial process.

"The determination of the issues need not necessarily end with this judgment unless it is accepted by all parties. In case any of the parties feels that further judicial consideration is required, there are legal remedies available which could be resorted to," the resolution said.

Meanwhile, Union home ministry has asked CRPF to send its 40 companies (over 4,000 personnel) to Uttar Pradesh in view of the state's demand of central forces to meet law and order situation there in the wake of the verdict.

Though the Centre will not be able to meet even one-fourth of the UP's demand of 630 companies (over 63,000 personnel) for the purpose, it has asked CRPF and other paramilitary forces -- SSB, BSF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) - to spare as many companies as possible by September 21.
"A first batch of 10 out of 40 companies is currently being deployed in the state. More central forces will be sent to UP next week. Besides, we will have to keep forces in standby for other states as well, if situation warrants for its deployment after the court's verdict," said a senior official.
It is learnt that UP has decided to deploy minimum three companies each of central forces at all the sensitive locations across the state this week. The state armed police will also be deployed at all such locations to help local police in maintaining law and order situation. More forces will be sent to these places once the state gets additional personnel from the Centre.


The issue was discussed at the Union Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and it passed a resolution, appealing for peace after the delivery of the judgement.
"It goes without saying that the judgement needs to be treated with the utmost respect," said the resolution passed by the Cabinet and read out by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni to the media.
"At the same time, we must remember the fact that the judgement, at this state, is one step in the judicial process. The determination of the issues need not necessarily end with this judgement unless it is accepted by all parties," it said.
The government said "in case any of the parties feels that further judicial consideration is required, there are legal remedies available which could be resorted to."
Keeping this in mind, the government said it is necessary for all sections of the people of India to maintain equanimity and tranquility in the aftermath of the judgement."
The resolution was passed against the backdrop of worries in the government that there could be a communal flare-up in the event of the High Court verdict on Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit going either way.
The Prime Minister recently held a meeting with senior Cabinet colleagues on the issue.

"There should be no attempt whatsoever made by any section of the people to provoke any other section or to indulge in any expression of emotion that would hurt the feelings of other people," the Cabinet resolution said
EXTRA SECURITY:

NEW DELHI: The Centre will next week take a call on Uttar Pradesh's demand of deploying over 63,000 central paramilitary personnel for stepping up security in the state in view of the court verdict on Ayodhya title suits, which is to be pronounced on September 24.
Government sources here said though the home ministry would try to send as many paramilitary personnel to the state as possible before September 24, it does not appear at this juncture that the Centre would be able to send as many as 630 companies (over 63,000 personnel) demanded by the UP government.
"The final decision on this front will be taken by Wednesday. The ministry will have to factor in demands of paramilitary personnel elsewhere as well before taking any decision," said a senior official.
Apprehending law and order problem in many areas after the court verdict, the state has already identified 19 districts as hyper-sensitive and 25 others as sensitive for deployment of additional forces days before the verdict.Babri verdict: Government appeals for calm - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Babri-verdict-Government-appeals-for-calm/articleshow/6566618.cms#ixzz0zlDwFqul
Govt appeals for calm ahead of Ayodhya verdict
CNN-IBN
New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday appealed for calm ahead of the verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit dispute. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni asked the disputing parties to respect the judgement in the case.
"The Ayodhya verdict should be respected by all. The issue cannot be resolved unless all parties accept the verdict. The Government appeals to all sections of society to maintain peace and calm. People should look at this verdict as a decision by the court," said Soni in New Delhi on Thursday.
"The judgement is the outcome of a long judicial process. It should be treated with utmost respect. The judgement is one step ahead in the judicial process. In case any of parties feel further judicial consideration is required, further legal remedies are available. There should not be any attempt by people to provoke anyone. India is firmly on the path on inclusive growth. This is recognised by the world. We should not do anything to disrespect this," she said.
Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband also appealed to people to respect the verdict of the High Court on the Ayodhya title suit.
"We have full confidence in the judicial system of the country. We appeal to people to respect the verdict of the Court and maintain peace and communal harmony in the country," Seminary's deputy vice-chancellor Maulana Abdul Khalique Madrasi said.Supporting the view of Deoband, Uttar Pradesh Imams' Organisation President Mufti Zulfikar Ali said, "We should respect the verdict and if any party is not satisfied with the judgement it could appeal to the Supreme Court."The verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute will be announced at 3:30 pm on September 24 by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The Lucknow bench will deliver the judgement on the title suit and decide who owns the 2.77 acres of disputed land on which Babri Masjid stood.
A three-member bench comprising of Justice SU Khan, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice DV Sharma has asked all the concerned parties to be present before the court on September 24.