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On 7th November, we were in the train going to Ayodhya.
Police too were proceeding to Ayodhya. Is it to prevent Shillaniyas
and arrest the Rama Bhakthas? Do they shoot at the devotees? Conversation
started. A police Officer said, "Note, underneath this uniform,
is a Rama Bhaktha." Do not bother about us. Continue with your Bhajan".
They were going on duty and that was their mood. On reaching Ayodhya
we learnt that the High Court will be deciding the next day whether
Shilla Niyas would be permitted at the spot decided by the Dharmacharyas
and it later announced that the spot was within the "disputed area.
The Parishad was clear right from the beginning that it is no matter
for the court to decide. It is a question of faith and sentiment
of crore of Hindus since ages. On 7th and 8th the saints were in
sessions at the banks of the Saryu. They decided to perform the
Shilla Niyas and if prevented they decided to go in for Satyagraha
and make any sacrifice. On one-side arrangements for Shilla Niyas
were being made, on the other, arrangements for Satyagraha were
going on. Bajrang Dal volunteers were making arrangements on the
spot. Saints and others were registering themselves for Satyagraha.
Bhajan-Kirtans were going on at the spot. Police on duty virtually
surrounded the spot with guns upward and faces downward with grief
and anxiety. They were in a perplexed state. Some of them were also
critical of the behaviour of the Govt. It was all anxiousness all
round. On 8th the situation took a sudden turn to the surprise and
happiness of every body. It was announced in the conference by Mahanta
Shri Avaidyanath Ji and Shri Ashok Ji Singhal, that the Govt agreed,
that the site was "not disputed" and that Shilla Niyas would be
performed as scheduled at the same spot decided by the Dharmacharyas
earlier. It was all joy around. What has happened suddenly? How
this change came about? Slowly details came out. The devotees were
determined, The threat of communists, the proposed visit of V.P.
Singh and Tripathi on the one side and the unhappiness of the police
at the unwise attitude of the Govt-all put together made the administration
worried. It made frantic calls to the state Govt and warned that
the situation cannot be controlled through use of force on devotees.
/strong> State Government got perplexed. It invited Mahant Sri Avaidyanath
Ji for urgent talks at Lucknow. The then Chief Minister Shri ND
Tiwari pleaded postponement of Shilla Niyas in view of the High
Court opinion. Mahanta Ji categorically told that the issue is not
within the scope of the court and the question of postponement did
not arise. "Shilla Niyas would take place at the time fixed and
at the place identified earlier on 2nd November as per the scriptures"
he made it clear. Shri Tiwari urged the Central Home Minister Shri
Buta Singh to intervene. Shri Buta Singh joined the talks. Mahant
Ji made clear the decision that it is impossible to oblige the Govt.,
which is treading a wrong path to appease some Muslim leaders. He
told "if any court decision is violated by performing Shilla Niyas
at the time and place decided, we may as well be arrested"- Mahant
ii was categorical. This brought in the change, The Govt changed
its mind and declared that the spot identified by the Parishad is
"not disputable" and that Shilla Niyas could go ahead as scheduled.
It was a triumph of truth and determination. The Govt did step aside,
but was not fair to itself or others. It spread a lie that the Vishva
Hindu Parishad had agreed to move to an "undisputed" spot, while
the whole world saw Shilla Niyas performed at the very place and
time fixed earlier-and the Govt made a laughing stock of itself
for no gain. On Devothani Ekadashi, 9th Nov Thursday at 9.30 A.M.
Bhumi Poojan was performed by Mahant Ram Chandradas Ji. Ram Bhakts
rushed towards Shri Ram Janma Bhumi as if Shri Ram Ji was returning
to Ayodhya after Vanvas. The holy soil taken out by digging was
applied by some on their foreheads while others took away a bit
of the soil in their clothes as a sort of holy PRASAD. On 10th Nov
the true character of Hindu Bharat presented itself when in the
presence of high respected Saints, heads of various sects, Vishva
Hindu Parishad office bearers, and Bajrang Dal volunteers, the first
Shilla was installed by a Harijan Youth Shri Kameshwar Chopal of
Bihar None of the Dharmacharyas, Shaiva or Vaishnava, Jain or Buddha
objected to a Harijan laying foundation stone of Shri Ram temple.
Those who witnessed this scene, recalled the old tradition of Shri
Ram. This was an explicit example of social equality, social security,
and social respect prevalent in Hindu society. Rajmata Sindhia Ji,
Shri Ashok Singhal, prominent saints and Dharmacharyas and every
body were congratulated and admired. Everybody was overwhelmed with
joy and tears rolled down many eyes. The editors and representative
of the world press saw that untouchability had no social or religious
sanction. After Shilla Niyas the pressmen were eager to know the
next step, and in the evening it was declared that next morning
i.e. on 11th Nov the saints will march towards Shri Ram Janma Bhumi
to begin the construction work of the temple. It was also decided
and declared by Shri Vamdev Ji Maharaj, " that they will remain
peaceful and even though prevented, they will not give any chance
of suppression or violence. If wisdom does not dawn on the govt
and it prevents construction of temple, our struggle will continue
and its outline will be decided at the right time". Saints in thousands
with spades on shoulders went to the spot of Shilla Niyas for Kara
Seva. It was a scene to be seen. The authorities, presumably under
instructions from the Govt., did not remove the barricades as was
urged. The saints did not want to force themselves. They peacefully
returned and assembled in the evening. They decided to give time
and meet at Prayag on 26-27 January during Mauni Amavasya to decide
the date for Kara Seva and the next course of action. The saints
assembled at Prayag for Mouni Amavasya. They considered the situation
regarding Shri Ram Janma Bhumi issue. They noted that the newly
elected Govt under Sri V.P. Singh has not taken up the issue, knowing
fully well that the saints will be meeting on 26th, 27th January
1990. The saints decided to begin Kara Seva from February 14th.
While they were in session, a request to abstain from taking any
decision came from the Prime Minister through Justice Sri Devaki
Nandan Agarwal. There was nothing to consider the request. However,
the saints in their wisdom, and generosity kept the door open for
talks till the first week of February, without prejudice to their
decision to begin Kar Seva on 14th February. During the first week
of February the Prime Minister made an appeal in writing to give
him 4 months time. He expressed his confidence that he would definitely
be able to find out a solution. He offered to form a Govt committee
to go into the subject. He met the representatives of the movement
and pleaded for 4 months time. The representatives made clear their
stand and decided to consider the appeal of the Prime Minister at
the meeting of the high power committee of Sir Ram Janma Bhumi on
9th. The high power Committee met on 9th February. It was a crucial
decision to be taken. For the first time the Prime Minister of the
country came into the picture with the offer of a decision or solution.
On the other side, the organisation fully geared up for action is
anxious for an early beginning of Kar Seva. The high power committee
in its wisdom and generosity decided to give time as requested by
the country's Prime Minister. The programme of February 14th was
deferred. The Parishad leaders gave their co-operation to the committee
formed by the Prime Minister and presented their case. The ball
is in the court of the Govt. The leaders resolved to review the
situation on June 22, 23rd and decide over the next course of action.
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