Delhi archbishop appeals for peace over Babri Masjid issue

(September 24, 2010) Indian archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi has appealed to people of all religions in the country to maintain peace and harmony as the nation awaits a court judgement on whether Hindus or Muslims own land around a demolished mosque in northern India. “Neither Lord Ram nor the all merciful Allah, neither Jesus nor Guru Nanak would ever want any disturbance by their followers,” the archbishop appealed in a statement, arguing “no religion teaches enmity with one’s neighbour.” The Allahabad High Court was to deliver the verdict on Friday but India's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered its delay. The decades-old case over the 16th century Babri mosque in Uttar Pradesh state is one of the biggest security challenges in India. Hindu mobs demolished the mosque in the town of Ayodhya in 1992, claiming it was built on the birthplace of their god-king Rama. The demolition triggered the worst religious riots since partition in 1947, and some 2,000 people died. Archbishop Concessao of Delhi said the judgement should be “accepted by all in the right spirit”. He said that the people should not be harmed in the name of religion. He also appealed to the media to play a “positive role and not sensationalize the news.” “At this juncture let us not give into hasty pronouncements, ideologies, political interests and prejudices but support both state and central governments’ efforts to maintain peace and harmony in the country,” Archbishop Concessao added.