Barring a handful, Ayodhya verdict elicits favourable reactions

Minutes after the Supreme Court pronounced the final verdict on the 70-year old Ayodhya land title dispute suit, reactions to the judgement poured in from across the country.

Lawyers were seen celebrating and raising ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogans outside the Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) courtroom.

Varun Kumar Sinha, Lawyer of Hindu Mahasabha hailed the verdict as a ‘historic judgement.’ “With this judgement, the Supreme Court has given the message of unity in diversity”, Sinha said.

However, the Sunni Central Waqf Board lawyer Zafaryab Jilani said the judgement has a lot of contradictions and that the board will definitely seek a review. “We are not satisfied with the judgement. We will take whatever legal recourse is possible”, Jilani added.

He also said that certain aspects of the judgement will help improve the secular structure of country.

Member of AIMPLB, Kamaal Faruqui too expressed displeasure over the verdict and said that even if 100 acres was given to them it would be of no use. “After taking 67 acres of land from us, what are they giving us back? Just 5 acres. What sort of a justice is this?” he asked.

Political parties call for peace and harmony

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the supreme court verdict saying the judgement ended the decades old dispute and appealed to people to maintain peace and harmony.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Congress is in favour of Ram temple construction. “This judgement not only opened the doors for the temple’s construction but also closed the doors for BJP and others to politicise the issue”, Surjewala said while addresing a press conference.

Hailing the verdict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appealed to public to maintain peace and calm.

Also read | How the legal battle to acquire 2.77-acre Ayodhya land panned out over the years

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Supreme Court’s judgement should be welcomed by everyone, it will be beneficial for the social harmony.

BJP leader and one of the accused in Babri Masjid demolition, Uma Bharti said it is a fair verdict. “We would like to thank Advani for this. He was the one who challenged pseudo-secularism”, she said.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “As people of this democratic country all should accept the decision taken by the supreme court on Ayodhya. We all have faith in the judiciary. People should maintain peace and harmony.”

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya title dispute should be respected by all and harmony and peace should be maintained. Targeting the BJP, the chief minister said the saffron party made Ram Temple a political issue and tried to “divide society for winning elections”.

Also read | Ayodhya verdict: Here are the key takeaways from the judgment