From: indu@iss700.Columbia.NCR.COM ()
Subject: Re: RSS ( INDIA TODAY - MARG POLL on  AYODHYA)
Originator: indu@iss700
Organization: NCR Corp, E&M-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 92 18:25:56 GMT


  The following is extracted from an article in India Today, Aug 15 1992 Issue.
  It would be intersting to see this in comparison with previous MARG polls,
  and see how people are shifting their views and opinions.( Previous MARG 
  polls not available).


                 INDIA TODAY  MARG OPINION POLL ON AYODHYA
                 =========================================

 The nation wide INDIA TODAY-MARG poll on AYODHYA saw 180 interviewers 
 travelling to 30 parliamentary constituencies across 11 states and Delhi,
 which in all account for 465 Lok Sabha seats. They interviewed 5,650 registered
 voters - of whom 527 were Muslims- who were aware of the ongoing construction
 in Ayodhya. The fiels was done from July 23-25, so respondents were not aware 
 of the decision to cease the Kar Seva on July 26.

 THE SOLUTION:
    Surprisingly, though most wanted the kar sewaks to flout the Court order,
    more than half were against demolishing the Masjid. They wanted the Mandir,
    and Masjid to coexist. In the BJP ruled states, wiser after the last furore 
    over Ayodhya, 48 percent favored co-existence.
 
    53%      Both should co-exist
    23%      Build Mandir relocate Masjid
    16%      Demolish Masjid, build Mandir
     4%      Do not Build mandir           
     4%      NO OPINION                    

 SHOULD THE KAR SEVAKS CONTINUE?
    An amazing 57 percent of those inteviewed were in favour of the Court 
    being flouted with voters in BJP ruled states(67 percent) and in rural 
    areas(60 percent)lining themselves up evenmore firmly behind the Karsewaks.
    Among the Muslims, there was vehement opposition to the violation of
    court order.

    57%    YES
    37%    NO
    6%     No opinion

 WHO IS THE REAL PROTECTOR OF HINDUS?
    A majority regarded the BJP as the true guardian of Hindu interests, while
    only one-third saw the party's position as eloctorally motivated. In the 
    BJP ruled states and in Rural India, the percentage of those who believed 
    in the BJP was predictably higher - 53 and 57 percent respectively. While 
    not surprisingly 66 percent of Muslims thought, the BJP was milking AYODHYA
    for votes.
    51%  BJP is the true Guardian
    35%  it is in it for Votes    
    14%  No opinion               


 WHO HAS DONE BETTER?
    The BJP gevernment u=in Uttar Pradesh emerged more positive than the centre
    by 2:1 - though this was before Rao's meeting with Sants. But the centre, 
    scored better in BJP-ruled states.

   State:
      52%   Emerged Well
      28%   Emerged badly
      20%   No opinion    
   Centre
      38%   Came out well
      33%   Came out Badly
      29%   No opinion

  PROMISES vs PROPREITY
     Though the balance of opinion was in favour of keeping election promises
     a fairly significant number of those interviewed felt that the court orders
     be obeyed, even if they contradict the mandate. There was once again the 
     Urban Rural divide with rural voters clearly desiring that electoral 
     promises be kept. Among urban voters, views were split down the middle.
     Once again the BJP ruled states backed the state government on Ayodhya,
     while the muslims opted for observing the court Order. In states not 
     ruled by the BJP Opinion was almost evenly divided on whether the 
     mandate should be upheld or not.
 
     51%  Keep promises (BJP ruled states 61%)
     42%  Obey Order
      7%  No opinion

 SHOULD THE STATE GOVERNMENT GO?
    The overwhelming answere was NO, and it was a view held by all sections,
    of the electorate, except the Muslims.

    64%   NO (BJP-Ruled states 63%)
    23%   Yes
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