Frequently Asked Questions
on
Shri Rama Janmabhoomi Movement
 

Compiled by : Ashok Chowgule and Dr. Shiva Subramanya.
 

Preface
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What is the significance of Ayodhya the city?

2. Was Shri Rama a person or a mythical figure?

3. Why is Shri Rama called a Maryada Purushottam?

4. How long is the antiquity of the belief in Shri Rama prevalent?

5. Is there any archaeological evidence to establish the antiquity of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site?

6. Is there any proof of destruction of a mandir in honour of Shri Rama at Ayodhya in 1528 AD?

7. How can one say that Babur destroyed a mandir in Ayodhya?

8. Was the Babri structure deliberately built over ruins of a temple in Ayodhya?

9. It is said that the act of destruction by Babur was not a religious one, but had a political motive. Please      comment.

10. What was the significance of Ram Chabootar and Sita-ki-Rasoi?

11. If the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site is so important, why was it not recovered earlier?

12. Is there an archaeological evidence to establish the destruction of a temple in 1528 AD?

13. During the time of Islamic rule, were there any attempts to peaceful recover the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi        site?

14. During the time of British rule, were there attempts at peaceful recovery of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site?

15. Were there attempts at a peaceful recovery of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site in the post-independence        period?

16. Has the evidence to establish the destruction of the Shri Rama mandir in 1528 AD been presented to the        Government of India?

17. Is the demand for the return of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site to the Hindus a forerunner to demand for the        return of the thousands of vandalised temple sites?

18. Could the Babri structure have been moved from the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site and built somewhere else?

19. Is there a need of a temple to pray for Shri Rama at the Janmabhoomi?

20. What is the basic ethos of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi movement?

21. What is the rationale of the people who make a case that there was no destruction of a temple at Ayodhya?
23. The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has recently said that the construction of a temple at the Shri        Rama Janmabhoomi is an expression of the national sentiment. Please comment.?
24. Is it necessary to correct a wrong done in medieval times, when vandalising the holy sites of the conquered        people was a norm?
25. Does the destruction of the Babri structure not mean that the concept that 'two wrongs make a right' is        accepted?
26. In destroying the Babri structure, does it not mean that the present day Muslims are being asked to pay a        price for the mistakes of those who indulged in vandalism and destruction?
27. Has the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi movement disturbed the communal atmosphere in the country?
28. Why are those who oppose the construction of the mandir at the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site called "Babur        ke aulad" (descendants of Babur)?
29. Would the construction of a temple in honour of Shri Rama create a confrontation with the government in        power?
30. If the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple were rebuilt, would this not create a chain reaction in destroying the        Hindu temples in other parts of the world?
31. What will be the reaction of the Islamic oil producing countries if the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple is        rebuilt?
32. Will the reconstruction of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple in any way affect the position of India vis-à-vis        Kashmir?
33. Are Hindu organisations called fundamentalists in the crude sense? Will not the reconstruction of the Shri        Rama Janmabhoomi temple make this charge valid?
34. Are we not destroying the secular fabric of our country by undertaking the programme to reconstruct the Shri        Rama Janmabhoomi temple?
35. In destroying the Babri structure does it not go against the essence of tolerance in Hinduism?
36. If the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple were rebuilt, what would be the position of Hindus in countries where        Muslims are in large majority?
37. Would the reconstruction of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple make the Christians in India insecure?
38. It is said that Islam does not sanction breaking of temples. Please comment.
39. Can one make a comparison between Shri Rama Janmabhoomi and Somnath?
40. Have vandalised sites in other parts of the world sought to be recovered?
41. How will the reconstruction of the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple affect the election fortunes of the BJP?
42. Why could you not build a temple adjacent to the Babri structure, similar to the case of Krishna Janmabhoomi        in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath in Varnasi?
43. Instead of Shri Rama Janmabhoomi movement are there no other important issues to be tackled by the        society?
44. Why not build something other then a temple at the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi, say a library? Will this not lead        towards a better communal harmony?
45. Was the Babri structure used as a Muslim place of worship in recent years?
46. Why do we need to have a grand temple at the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi, in place of the existing functional        temple?
47. Since some of the Dharmagurus are not willing to be associated with the Rama Janmabhoomi Nyas, how can        it be said that the movement is of the Hindu samaj?
48. Are the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and the VHP trying to exclude some Dharmagurus from participating in the        movement? In effect, are they trying to hijack the movement?
49. What has happened to the funds collected through the Shila pujan programme?
50. Is it true that the foundation stone for the temple was laid by a harijan?
51. What is the current status of construction?
52. Has the date been announced for the construction of the temple? If so, what the plan for mass mobilisation?
Appendices
 
1. Summary of the evidence proving destruction of Shri Rama Janmabhoomi temple in 1528 AD
2. Sir Vidiadhar Naipaul on the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi movement.
3. Summary of the Legal Findings
     Bibliography