A hope for peace

RAM JANMABHOOMI-BABRI MASJID TILE The much-awaited order of the Supreme Court has directed for an “in-camera mediation” to settle the issues between the concerned parties to reach an agreeable solution amicably. Hope this leads to a lasting peace?

In a multi-cultural and religious society like India, national sentiment is of paramount importance for harmonious co-existence and lasting peace. It has to be bonded well through connecting our rich and diverse cultural heritage, ages-old civilizational glorious past and the present social fabric of the nation. Today, the nation and the people cannot afford to dwell in endless conflicts and bitterness based on religious identities, communal differences and practices. We have to learn to “change” by living in communal harmony, respecting each other’s faith, being tolerant and building an inclusive consensus that would conform to the national sentiment.

Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute is one such case that has been engendering and disestablishing the peaceful social fabric of the nation. Lives have been lost and it has been a bottleneck for political parties to move beyond making it a core issue of communal discord for vote bank politics.

The nations needs is an inclusive ending solution for peace and communal harmony that leads to lasting peace.

There is no denial about the complexity of the dispute, especially with regards to its historical existence and appropriation. For the last over two decades since the matter went to courts and no concerted efforts been made by concerned parties to negotiate the issue to find a settlement, the there was “legal hope” with the Supreme Court to gives its inclusive judgment. However, to no one’s surprise, the Supreme Court took another landmark decision to look for a mediated solution by ordering the concerned parties in dispute to go for “in-camera mediation” before a duly appointed panel of mediators – Chairman Justice Kalifulla, trained mediator senior advocate Sreeram Panchu and Sri Sri Ravishankar.

Mediation appears to be the most suitable course to assist the concerned parties in amicably resolving their disputes and arriving at a negotiated consensus. No party can be a perceived loser, but what can be a solution that leads to lasting peace?

What the nations needs is an inclusive ending solution for peace and communal harmony. May be a “National Monument of Peace, Harmony and Love” adjoining both a "Ram Mandir" and "Babri Masjid", where people from all wakes of life, faith and creed are welcomed. The place can be made into a world centre, a unique complex consisting of research centres, a university, a study centre with a historical library, health research centre with a hospital, world-class spiritual centre with a museum.

Think beyond! India needs an innovative solution that manifests its national sentiment and satisfies all the communities. Hope, in the mediation process, the nation finds peace!