'Ayodhya has moved on'

Faizabad Congress MP Nirmal Khatri expresses confidence in the collective conscience of his constituency; says verdict will be acceptable to all communities

Ayodhya: Nirmal Khatri is a busy man. Over the last ten days, the Congress MP from Faizabad has been meeting religious leaders of different communities in his constituency, getting assurances from seers and addressing party workers.


In high spirits: Nirmal Khatri Congress MP from Faizabad is visiting
places and meeting people to ensure communal harmony ahead of the
Allahabad High Court judgment in the 60-year-old
Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid. pic/Rajeev Tyagi

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are at least 18 months away, but Khatri along with party functionaries including Faizabad district Congress president Rajendra Prasad Singh are visiting places and meeting people to ensure communal harmony ahead of the Allahabad High Court judgment in the 60-year-old Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit on Thursday.

However, Khatri is confident about the law and order situation. "The scenario is entirely different from 1992. Then the BJP was in power in the state. This time, the present chief minister Mayawati is doing everything to maintain harmony," Khatri Told MiD DAY. He added that people of his constituency have never believed in fomenting trouble. "In 1992, the city was full of outsiders. They were responsible for the whole crisis. There is no fear among the people of Faizabad and Ayodhya today as everyone know each other," said Khatri.

Khatri knows his constituency is being watched not only in India but also globally. Because of the timing of the verdict -the Commonwealth Games is two days away, Bihar assembly polls are underway - India, and consequently Ayodhya, is garnering attention.

The Faizabad MP sees a marked difference in Hindu sentiments today. "Back then, the VHP and the BJP had raised a war cry over Hindu sentiments. Now the Hindu populace has realised the political motivations behind the strategies. Everyone stands exposed."

Khatri appeared unsure of the possible political reactions of national parties and fringe groups following the verdict. Did Congress prefer an out-of-court settlement to a legal verdict?

Khatri said: "Congress always maintained that we will respect the court verdict, whichever way it goes. It's also true that the Congress supports an amicable settlement in the Ayodhya dispute."