From Duryodhana to Kashi, Mathura, Ayodhya

Kautilya in the Artha Shastra defines the approaches (Upayas) in diplomacy as Saama (an equitable offer), Daana (an unilaterally generous offer), Bheda (debate) & as a last resort, Dhanda (use of force).

In a famous episode in the Mahabharata, Krishna made an offer of accepting 5 villages to give up rights over the kingdom. Duryodhana would reject this generous offer & declare that he would not give up even a needle prick of land.

An offer was made to give up rights on all demolished temples (an estimated 47000 chronicled so far) in return for just three most sacred sites: Ayodhya, Kashi & Mathura. In addition, for just the return of Ayodhya, was an offer to build 100 mosques. Some were not happy at this overly generous one-sided offer. They needn't have worried. This offer was rejected, much like Duryodhana's rejection. Subramanyam Swamy pointed out these similarities.

 

Imagine this in a just world: "We're not responsible for the atrocities that my ancestors committed in the name of my faith. For any demolished place of worship, please take it back. Some of us would provide a token amount for the reconstruction." Imagine the goodwill that this would generate & pave a way for harmonic pluralism. Per archaeologist KK Muhammad who excavated Ayodhya, the Communists scuttled a potential harmonious settlement.

The 'secular' Indian state would act like Duryodhana & pass the 'Places of Worship' law denying Hindus access to all destroyed places of worship except Ayodhya. Even for Ayodhya, ownership needed to be proved in court. Subramaniam Swamy pointed out that this act is unconstitutional since it violates the fundamental right to worship at a holy place which has legal priority. The Supreme court refused to attach the petition of fundamental rights in the context of Ayodhya & requested him to approach a different bench. The other legal loophole is the Ancient Monuments Act.

When faced with overwhelming evidence, one approach to maintain a favorable status quo & deny justice is: "If you can't convince, then confuse". This can be called the D approach: Deflect, Digress, Distract, Divert, Dodge, Deny, Delay. Public memory is short. Use these techniques to ride out the storm.