Let the court decide

Politicians should not ratchet up rhetoric on Ayodhya

As the country nears another Lok Sabha election in 2019, competitive Hindutva over the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue is taking centre stage. It is unfortunate that politicians are giving in to the temptation of playing to the gallery and ratcheting up the rhetoric in this regard. Over the weekend, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised a so-called “Dharam Sabha” in Ayodhya and claimed that it was the largest congregation of “Ram bhakts” since December 6, 1992, when Hindu vigilantes, often referred to as “kar sevaks” (or, those who offer their services), razed the Babri Masjid. The Sabha was described as