Salman Nadvi Acting on Behest of Modi in Babri Masjid Case: Owaisi

AIMPLB expelled Nadvi for having suggested that the disputed land for building Babri be handed over for Ram temple.

Babri Masjid. 

(File Photo: IANS)

MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday, 12 February, alleged that Moulana Salman Hussaini Nadvi is acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a rift in All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). Nadvi had earlier favoured handing over the disputed land in Ayodhya, where Babri Masjid once stood, for the construction of the Ram temple.

Owaisi also called for social boycott of those calling for giving up Babri Masjid. H

“Some people are dancing at the tune of Modi,” the Hyderabad MP told IANS without naming Nadvi, who was removed from the board on 11 February for mooting a proposal to handover the land of demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya for construction of Ram temple.

Following a meeting on 11 February, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said that the Babri Masjid would remain a mosque till eternity and Muslims could never exchange the land for the masjid. AIMPLB chief Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadvi presided over the three-day meet, which was attended by 400 members and special invitees from different spheres of life, including ulemas (clergy), intellectuals, social and political personalities.

The meet discussed and decided to protect the Shariah (Islamic laws). The board also asserted that the struggle for the reconstruction of the Babri Masjid would continue.

A statement was issued on the concluding day of its 26th plenary:

“The Babri Masjid is an essential part of the faith in Islam and Muslims can never abdicate the masjid, nor can they exchange the land for the masjid or gift the land. The Babri Masjid is a masjid and it shall remain a masjid till eternity,” the statement said.

“By demolishing the Babri Masjid, it will never lose its identity as a masjid. And according to Shariah, it will always remain a masjid,” the statement added.

The AIMPLB further said the country's topmost lawyers were appearing in the apex court in the case on behalf of Muslims. In the politically sensitive case, the Supreme Court is currently hearing the final arguments.

“Without any doubt, we make it clear that the struggle for the reconstruction of Babri Masjid continues and the appeal in the Supreme Court is being fought rigorously with all the resources available at the disposal of the board,” the statement said.

In its 30 September 2010 ruling, the Allahabad High Court had ordered a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site, giving a third each to the Nirmohi Akhara, the Sunni Central Wakf Board of Uttar Pradesh and Ramlalla Virajman, the idol of child Ram placed there.

Salman Nadvi on Being Expelled by AIMPLB for Suggesting the Shifting of Babri Site

The Muslim Law Board also expelled its executive member, Maulana Syed Salman Hussaini Nadvi on 11 February, News18 reported.

Taking strong exception to the proposal, AIMPLB had formed a four-member committee to take disciplinary action against Nadvi, an eminent cleric who mooted the proposal during a meeting with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Reacting to his expulsion, Nadvi said:

There is scope in Shariyat for shifting the Mosque. I am talking about Hindu-Muslim unity and solving this issue. I will be meeting saints in Ayodhya and also have a discussion with Hindu brothers from across India.

Following the expulsion, Ravi Shankar tweeted: “Maulana Salman Husaini Nadvi’s expulsion from the AIMPLB comes as a surprise, as several members of the board have met with me and expressed their commitment to foster amity amongst Hindus and Muslims and to peacefully resolve this issue. ”

AIMPLB member Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas told reporters that Nadvi spoke against the board’s stand and was hence removed.

The board reiterated its uncompromising stand on Babri Masjid issue. Once a masjid is built, it is always a masjid for the eternity. Nadvi is still speaking against the board stand. The committee has unanimously decided to remove him.

Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, AIMPLB member told <i>News18</i>

Addressing the meeting on Saturday, AIMPLB General Secretary Wali Rahmani said "some elements" are trying to misguide people on Babri Masjid issue. In his report submitted at the plenary, he said the board had taken an unambiguous stand that "once a mosque, always a mosque".

With the executive meeting on 9 February pulling up Salman Nadvi for his proposal, he stayed away from the plenary meeting on the second day and reportedly left Hyderabad. Earlier, talking to reporters, he had alleged that two executive members Kamal Farooqi and Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas humiliated him.

Salman Nadvi defended his formula saying this would ensure peace and communal harmony. He alleged that there is dictatorship in the board and few people are controlling it.

Talking to news agency IANS on 10 February, Ilyas denied the allegations made by Salman Nadvi against him.

I initiated the discussion but all those who spoke opposed the proposal as it is the well-known stand of the board that the land of mosque can’t be sold, gifted or alienated. This is an attempt to malign the board.

Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas

(With inputs from IANS)