By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: The approach of Urdu newspapers in Mumbai to the Supreme Court’s decision on deferment of Babri Masjid title suit verdict is cautious but critical. They presented popular sentiments in the country because besides Congress and some fringe elements more or less everybody was upset with the decision.
Along with the lead story on the front page the editorials also seem not happy and more so demanded justice in the case.
Urdu Times quoted Hashim Ansari, 90-year-old lone surviving petitioner in the Ayodhya title suit and who has devoted his whole life as saying “The Babri Masjid verdict must come in my lifetime only” and he has dismissed any reconciliation into the case.
The daily also referred to the comment of Zafaryab Jilani, advocate of Sunni Central Waqf Board, who denied of any out of court settlement.
Ram Lalla Mahant Bhaskr Das and ex-chief minister of UP kalyan Singh’s discontent was also mentioned.
Inquilab daily, in its story, highlighted the quotation of ex-Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabji, who termed this decision as “Bad precedent for the future” and “Blind irrational optimism.” It quoted his comment on CNN-IBN, “Is it really expected that in a week a settlement will be found when persons of different shades of public opinion, different political personalities have tried and failed…Its blind irrational optimism.”
Roznama Sahara Mumbai, welcomed the decision and illustrated the welcome quotation of local Muslim ulema and leaders.
Sahafat also covered the news with the front page lead and an article of Irfan Engineer on Babri Masjid on its edit page.
In his editorial, Shahid Latif, editor of Inquilab urged for faster decision and appreciated the efforts for peace and communal harmony by the politicians, administration and the people as a whole. He clarified that everybody was ready for the decision and termed the deferment of the decision as “Sad”. He also cautioned that the decision may be deferred for longtime if it could not come before the retirement of Justice D.U. Sharma.
Finally he concluded “Justice delayed is as good as Justice denied.”
Alim Naqwi, editor of Urdu Times seems more cautious and reserved his comment since the matter is subjudiced but citing the history he opined that the issue is not just between the two parties but between Hindus and Muslims of this nation.
He is also critical of the peace initiative by Muslims only. He said, “Besides few other groups mostly Muslim personalities and NGOs came up with the peace initiative. They also appealed for peace and endurance to Muslims only. Why? Appeal of calm and peace must be addressed to the nation and especially to the people of Sangh Parivar.”
He referred to the History and explained, “Babri Masjid was there since 1528 i.e. for 464 years and Muslims used to pray in it for 421 years. These two things are obvious and needs no external proof.” He deliberately ignored the issue “before 1528 and after 1949 to 1992” since both of this matter are to be decided by the Supreme Court.
He finally concluded, “World is waiting for Justice from the court and the future of India depends upon the Justice only.”