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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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MARCH 12, 2002
URGENT ALERT: Plans to build a Hindu temple on the site of the Barbari Mosque in India
HuThe Islamic man Rights Commission is deeply concerned by the imminent plans of the Vishwa Hindu Parishwad (VHP) to begin building a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished 16 Century Barbari Mosque which was destroyed by Hindu extremists in 1992 on 15th March 2002. This will only be a further catalyst for violence and will undoubtedly result in the escalation of the current communal riots to unprecedented levels. Allowing the project to continue will reward those who have carried out such brutal violence in the name of Hindu nationalism.
Background
Tensions between the Hindu community and the minority Muslim community have been exacerbated over the last decade by the rise of Hindu nationalism and riots disrupted in 1992 after the VHP extremists demolished the Barbari Mosque to build a Hindu temple. This has always been a cause for resentment between Hindu and Muslim groups and has acted as a catalyst to recent tensions. Indeed, the failure of the government to protect the Muslim holy site has been the cause for long-held resentment.
The IHRC is extremely concerned that the Indian Government and various state apparatus, particuarly that of Gujarat, will not be able to adequately contain the violence and protect its Muslim minority population. Indeed recent events highlight their failure and unwillingness to put an end to the cycle of violence. They failed to adequately deploy security forces to protect the lives and property of the Muslims. The death toll figures are extremely disturbing as are reports of destruction and looting of personal property and the demolition of holy places. The authorities turned a blind eye to the atrocities so that the Hindu extremists could continue with their orgy of violence against the minority Muslim population.
The riots of Gujarat highlight the lack of protection Muslim minorities are given in that region, and indeed in India.
It is essential that we urge the Indian government to stop this catastrophic event, immediately intervene to stop the rebuilding of the temple, to protect its Muslim population and allow them to rebuild their mosque. More importantly, it is essential that we urge the British government to place an immediate arms embargo on India.
Suggested Action
The IHRC calls on campaigners to:
1. Write to Indian government ministers, calling upon them to urge the Indian government to put an immediate end to the VHP project.
Email these letters to at least the Prime Minister and President of India and if you have time to the others in the following list.
President of India, Shri K R Narayanan: pressecy@alphanic.in
Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee: vajpayee@sansad.nic.in
Minister of External Affairs, Shri Jaswant Singh: bishnoijs@sansad.nic.in
Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Lal Krishna Advani: advanilk@sansad.nic.in
Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi: soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Dr Manmohan Singh: manmohan@sansad.nic.in
Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah: omar@sansad.nic.in
Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha, Najma Heptulla: najmah@sansad.nic.in
Please see the specimen campaign letter attached below.
Dear……………….
Re: Building Hindu temple on site of demolished mosque in India
I am writing with deep concern about imminent plans of the Vishwa Hindu Parishwad (VHP) to begin building a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished 16 Century Barbari Mosque which was destroyed by Hindu extremists in 1992 on 15th March 2002. This will only be a further catalyst for violence and will undoubtedly result in the escalation of the current communal riots to unprecedented levels. Allowing the project to continue will reward those who have carried out such brutal violence in the name of Hindu nationalism.
Tensions between the Hindu community and the minority Muslim community have always been high and riots disrupted in 1992 after the VHP extremists demolished the Barbari Mosque to build a Hindu temple. This has always been a cause for resentment between Hindu and Muslim groups and has acted as a catalyst to recent tensions. Indeed, the failure of the government to protect the Muslim holy site has been the cause for long-held resentment.
I am extremely concerned that the Indian Government and the vaious state apparatus especially that of Gujarat will not be able to adequately contain the violence and protect its Muslim minority population. Indeed recent events highlight their failure and unwillingness to put an end to the cycle of violence. They failed to adequately deploy security forces to protect the lives and property of the Muslims. The death toll figures are extremely disturbing as are reports of destruction and looting of personal property and the demolition of holy places. The authorities turned a blind eye to the atrocities so that the Hindu extremists could continue with their orgy of violence against the minority Muslim population.
The riots of Gujarat highlight the lack of protection Muslim minorities are given in that region, and indeed in India.
I urge you to use your influence to request that the Indian government stop this catastrophic event and immediately intervene to stop the rebuilding of the temple. Furthermore, I urge you to ask the Indian government to put into place measures that will adequately protect its Muslim population and to allow them to rebuild their mosque.
Yours sincerely,
(Name)
2. Write to the Foreign Secretary, requesting intervention in the building of a temple of the VHP on the site of the demolished Barbari Mosque, and requests for expulsion of India from the Commonwealth if it fails to comply.
Specimen letter to the British Foreign Minister:
Rt. Honorable Jack Straw Name……………………………..
Foreign & Commonwealth Office Address………………………….
King Charles Street …………………………..
London, WC1 …………………………..
12 March 2002
Dear Mr. Straw,
Re: Building Hindu temple on site of demolished mosque in India
I am writing with deep concern about imminent plans of the Vishwa Hindu Parishwad (VHP) to begin building a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished 16 Century Barbari Mosque which was destroyed by Hindu extremists in 1992 on 15th March 2002. This will only be a further catalyst for violence and will undoubtedly result in the escalation of the current communal riots to unprecedented levels. Allowing the project to continue will reward those who have carried out such brutal violence in the name of Hindu nationalism.
Tensions between the Hindu community and the minority Muslim community have always been high and riots disrupted in 1992 after the VHP extremists demolished the Barbari Mosque to build a Hindu temple. This has always been a cause for resentment between Hindu and Muslim groups and has acted as a catalyst to recent tensions. Indeed, the failure of the government to protect the Muslim holy site has been the cause for long-held resentment.
We are extremely concerned that the Indian Government and various state apparatus especially that of Gujarat will not be able to adequately contain the violence and protect its Muslim minority population. Indeed recent events highlight their failure and unwillingness to put an end to the cycle of violence. They failed to adequately deploy security forces to protect the lives and property of the Muslims. The death toll figures are extremely disturbing as are reports of destruction and looting of personal property and the demolition of holy places. The authorities turned a blind eye to the atrocities so that the Hindu extremists could continue with their orgy of violence against the minority Muslim population.
The riots of Gujarat highlight the lack of protection Muslim minorities are given in that region, and indeed in India.
I urge you to use your influence to request that the Indian government stop this catastrophic event and immediately intervene to stop the rebuilding of the temple. Furthermore, the British government should ask the Indian government to protect its Muslim population and to allow them to rebuild their mosque.
In light of such facts, if the Indian government fails to comply with the requests, I ask you to request the immediate suspension of India from the Commonwealth until such time as it agrees to comply. Moreover, I strongly urge you to place an immediate arms embargo on India and to oppose plans to give India a permanent seat at the Security Council.
Yours sincerely,
(Name)
………………………………………………
Islamic Human Rights Commission
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