‘Don’t view Ayodhya verdict as victory or defeat: RSS chief

NEW DELHI - Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday appealed to people across the country and all sections of religious faith to observe solidarity and unity, and respect the three-way judgment of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case.

Addressing a news conference in the national capital, Bhagwat said: “The Allahabad High Court’s judgment should not be viewed as anyone’s victory or defeat. I appeal to all, including Muslims, that they should display national unity, as we have got an opportunity to express our unity through it.”

Bhagwat also said: “The judgment has cleared the way to build Ram temple at Lord Ram’s birthplace”.

The high court bench decided to divide the disputed 2.7 acres of land into three parts, with each of the three parties to the suit getting a part of it.

Hindus, the Sunni Waqf Board and the Nirmohi Akhara, will each get one part of the disputed land.

The ownership of the disputed land has been divided as follows: (1) Ram Lala, the birthplace of Lord Ram, given to Lord Ram (2) Sita Rasoi and Ram Chabootra to Nirmohi Akhara and (3) The remaining part to be given to the Sunni Waqf Board.

Meanwhile, there will be a status quo in Ayodhya for three months during which a petition can be filed.

Hindu and Muslim groups called upon the apex court and the Government that the matter should not be allowed to linger on further.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) had called upon the court not to procrastinate the issue any further.

Speaking on behalf of AIMPLB, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahali, Naib Imam of Lucknow said: “Stalling the judgment at the behest of a third party when both main parties to the dispute eagerly await justice is inappropriate. The Board, therefore, hopes that its sentiments will be respected and heeded”.

AISPLB president, Maulana Mirza Mohammmad Athar said: “Hoping for an out of court settlement at the eleventh hour is too impractical a proposition. Both parties have already expressed their willingness to accept the verdict and move on to the next step, any bid to put the matter on hold hardly makes sense.”

Hindu seers have also been against deferment of court’s verdict.

In Haridwar, an outfit of seers had demanded the verdict on Ayodhya title suits should be pronounced at the earliest and said that it should not be deferred further. (ANI)