Muslims in a Multi-Religious Society

had in a letter dated May 7,1979, addressed to Maulana Muhammad Yusuf, president of the Jamate-Islami, stated: "I am pleased to inform you that a formal decision has already been taken with regard to permitting Muslims to say their prayers individually or in a 'jammat' in the mosque attached to archaeological monuments.'' Indira Gandhi refused even to meet a delegation of the Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat on this issue. They had to be content to give a memo to P C Sethi on September 5, 1983, At the meeting of the National Integration Council on January 21, 1984 she would not concede this right conferred by statute and conceded by the Janata. She gave the excuse of preservation of monuments. If accepted, this would rule out prayers at all holy places.