Indians take Ayodhya verdict in positive spirit, as political leaders appeal for peace

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW - People across the country accepted the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on Ramjanambhoomi-Babri title suits, in a positive spirit on Thursday, as peace prevailed all around with senior political leaders and others appealing for harmony among all sections of society.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday made an earnest appeal to all sections of people to maintain peace and calm and show respect for all religions and religious beliefs in the highest tradition of Indian culture.

“I would appeal to my countrymen to be vigilant and not let such people succeed in disrupting peace and harmony. You should be particularly careful with regard to rumours that disruptive elements could propagate to create ill will between communities. My appeal to all sections of the people is to maintain peace and tranquility and to show respect for all religions and religious beliefs in the highest traditions of Indian culture,” said Dr Manmohan Singh after a high-level meeting held at his residence in the evening to discuss the security situation in the country after Allahabad High Court’s verdict.

“The orders delivered by the three ‘Honourable Judges’ need to be examined carefully. The High Court itself has directed that the “Status Quo as prevailing till date shall be maintained for a period of three months.” Besides, the High Court has granted leave to appeal to the Supreme Court,” he added.

“I have full faith in the people of India. I also have full confidence in the traditions of secularism, brotherhood and tolerance of our great country. I know that often it is only a few mischief-makers, who create divisions in our society,” he added.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Defence Minister A.K.Antony, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Union Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily attended the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence along with the other leaders.

The Prime Minister said the Government on its part remains fully committed to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace, order and harmony.

Union Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily also stressed on the need to maintain peace and calm in the country after the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court pronounced its verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit.

Moily said that the parties to the suit have the option of coming to the Supreme Court and appeal.

“Let the judgment come in full and then we will comment on it. We are custodians no doubt, we will step in if necessary but there is no contingency now,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Congress party said that everyone should have faith in the judiciary of the country and welcomed the judgement.

Congress Party’s General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said, if any person, party or organisation has any reservation about it, the way to Supreme Court is open.

There are moments in the life of an individual, society and the nation where once wisdom patience, tolerance and reasoning are judged, he stated.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the Ayodhya verdict has opened “a new chapter for national integration” and “a new era of inter- community relations”.

Reading out a statement before the reporters on behalf of the BJP after convening a meeting of the party’s core group at his residence in Delhi after the court’s verdict, Lal Krishna Advani said, “In so far as the judgement upholds the right of the Hindus to construct a temple , it is a significant step forward toward the construction of a grand temple of the birthplace of Lord Ram.”

“The BJP believes this verdict opens a new chapter for national integration and a new era of inter- community relations,” the statement stated and further added: “The BJP is gratified that the nation has received the verdict with maturity.”

Senior BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, Rajnath Singh, M.Venkaiah Naidu, Ananth Kumar, Najma Heptullah and BJP President Nitin Gadkari were present in the meeting.

The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in his reaction to the judgement today asked 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.

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.”

President of Sri Ramjanma Bhoomi Nyas Samiti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said, it is neither a victory of Hindu nor Muslim but it is a victory of Ram Lalla. He, however, remarked that he is not satisfied with the court’s decision of sharing the land.

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

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court comprised of Justices D V Sharma, Sudhir Agarwal and S U Khan. (ANI)