RSS, BJP mobilising their respective Muslim leaders to ensure calm after Ayodhya verdict

The party workers and cadres have been advised against holding any street processions through sensitive areas to express their feelings. (Supreme Court: AFP)


The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided to take the help of Muslim leaders belonging to its affiliate BJP and its own Muslim wing to spread the message of communal harmony and amity ahead of the long-pending verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi – Babri Masjid title suit, likely to be pronounced soon.

The decision was taken after a late-night meeting on Friday in which both Sangh and BJP leaders were present. It was also decided to form a committee of such Muslim leaders to meet various sections of society to ensure peace and harmony in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict.

Sources said BJP and RSS Muslims leaders would assemble under the aegis of Muslim Rashtriya Manch to start their campaign for social and communal harmony in the country.

As per the plan, the RSS wants BJP Muslim leaders to spearhead the efforts towards communal amity. Towards this objective, four separate committees have been formed to reach out to the masses with the message of peace, social harmony, and communal amity, sources said.

From the BJP, top Muslim leaders including ministers in the Modi government and former ministers and state-level leaders such as Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, Shazia Ilmi, BJP national minority cell head Abdul Rashid Ansari besides Chairman Minority Commission Saiyed Gairul Hasan Rizvi who are likely to lead the campaign were present during the RSS meeting.

From the RSS head of the Muslim wing Indresh Kumar and other leaders including Krishna Gopal were present during the discussions.

Keen to ensure that the verdict, whenever it is announced, does not disturb communal harmony, top RSS and BJP leaders including Mohan Bhagwat and BJP national working president JP Nadda had held detailed discussions during their meeting that began last Thursday.

Accordingly, both the RSS and BJP leaders have firmed up a list of do’s and don’ts for its cadres and party workers to prevent them from engaging in any activities post-Ayodhya verdict that might disturb social harmony and peace.

The party workers and cadres have been advised against holding any street processions through sensitive areas to express their feelings. Instead, party workers and functionaries have been advised to light lamps and visit places of worship to express their religious feelings and sentiments, sources said.