New Delhi: Several Muslim organisations, including the AIMPLB and Jamat-e-Islami Hind criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation in the Ram temple foundation stone-laying ceremony, calling it a blatant violation of the Constitution.
"... tragedy is that the the Prime Minister of our secular and democratic nation, who took an oath on the Constitution of India, also participated in the shilanyas ceremony," said the Muslim clerics in a joint statement.
"The resources of the government and government-media are being utilised with complete impunity. We feel that this approach is a blatant violation of the Constitution of India and the secular ethos of the nation and it will increase the polarisation within society," they added.
The clerics further appealed to the Muslim community to remain steadfast on on the path of patience, fortitude and wisdom that it has tread in the past.
Recalling the November 2019 judgment of Supreme Court which granted the disputed land in Ayodhya to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas for construction of a temple, the clerics said that the Indian Muslims have exhibited great restraint over the verdict and respected the apex court and the nation's judicial system.
Read: Ram Mandir to help in emergence of 'cultural nationalism': Minister Choubey
The clerics stated that it is unfortunate that the apex court gave proof and evidence in favour of the mosque but ruled in favour of temple.
"This injustice was not only felt by the justice loving people and organisations all over the world and in our country but it was also severely criticised. We too express our disagreement with this judgement," stated the clerics.
Earlier, the AIMPLB rejected the apex court verdict calling it "unjust, oppressive, shameful and majority appeasing." It also cited the example of Turkey's Hagia Sophia and said that there was no need to be heartbroken as "situations don't last forever."
