New Delhi, October 5
Fearing that it could fall between two stools and end up alienating both the Hindus and the Muslims, the Congress today sought to do a keen balancing act on the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.

The Congress decided it would not take any initiative to facilitate reconciliation between the two parties involved in the dispute, as it does not want to be seen to be taking sides. However, it underlined its well-known position that it supports the resolution of the Ayodhya dispute through a mutual dialogue but if this is not possible, it would abide by the judicial verdict.

The Congress also sent out a message to its minority support base by delinking the last week’s Allahabad High Court verdict from the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The demolition, the party emphasised, cannot be condoned and the guilty must be punished.

The Congress response was shaped by reports that there is disquiet among the Muslims about the recent court order. It also took note of the reaction of the Samajwadi Party, which publicly articulated the views of the minorities and senior BJP leader LK Advani’s statement that the court verdict vindicated his “rath yatra” and that faith had been upheld by law.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which was converted into a Steering Committee following the re-election of Sonia Gandhi as the party president, met today to discuss its position on Ayodhya issue in the wake of the Allahabad High Court judgement.

After the meeting, which was chaired by Sonia Gandhi and attended by senior leaders, AICC Media Department chief Janardan Dwivedi read a statement. “The Congress respects the judicial process with regard to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit. However, we must now await the final decision of the Supreme Court as and when the appeal is filed,” it said.

“In the meantime, the Congress welcomes efforts by the parties concerned with the legislation to find an amicable and peaceful settlement,” it added. Party sources said the statement had initially said the Congress should take the initiative in a bringing about “reconciliation” between the two parties but the consensus was against this. Home minister P Chidambaram, who briefed the meeting about the Ayodhya dispute, is learnt to have said the Allahabad High Court verdict had not gone down well with the Muslims in Uttar Pradesh. Another member felt the party’s initial response welcoming the verdict had upset the minorities. The party statement, therefore, did not mention the Allahabad High Court and instead spoke of “judicial process” to emphasise that the final decision would be taken by the Supreme Court.