The Supreme Court on Saturday delivered a landmark judgement in the Ayodhya land disputes case. The five-judge Constitution bench led by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi ruled that the disputed land would be given to the Hindu parties. The apex court directed the Centre, which is in possession of the disputed land to formulate a scheme for a Board of Trustees for the construction of the temple.The SC also granted 5 acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board.
Reactions poured in soon after Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, pronounced the judgment. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Zafaryab Jilani, lawyer for the Sunni Waqf Board, one of the main litigants in the case, said, “We respect the judgement but we are not satisfied, we will decide further course of action. There should be no demonstration of any kind anywhere on it.”
Varun Kumar Sinha, lawyer of Hindu Mahasabha, one of the parties in the case, called it a historic judgement. “With this judgement, the Supreme Court has given the message of unity in diversity,” he said.
Kartik Chopra, the spokesperson of Nirmohi Akhara, another litigant said that the ascetic body is grateful that the Supreme Court has recognised its fight and granted it adequate representation. “SC has given the Nirmohi Akhara adequate representation in the trust to be set up by the Central Government to build and manage the Shri Ram Janmasthan Temple,” Kartik Chopra said.
Sri Sri Ravishankar, one of the mediators appointed by the Supreme Court in the case, said, “This is a historic judgement, I welcome it. This case was going on for a long time and finally, it has reached a conclusion. Peace and harmony should be maintained in society.”
PM Modi appeals for peace
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the apex court’s verdict must not be considered a victory or a defeat for anyone. “The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody. Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail!” PM Modi said.
The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2019
Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti.
May peace and harmony prevail!
He asserted that the judgement reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of the Indian judiciary and illustrated that everyone is equal before the law.
“The halls of justice have amicably concluded a matter going on for decades. Every side, every point of view was given adequate time and opportunity to express differing points of view. This verdict will further increase people’s faith in judicial processes,” he added.
He appealed for peace and harmony, while and said, “The calm and peace maintained by 130 crore Indians in the run-up to today’s verdict manifests India’s inherent commitment to peaceful coexistence. May this very spirit of unity and togetherness power the development trajectory of our nation. May every Indian be empowered.”
‘Will strengthen India’s unity’: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister and BJP Chief Amit Shah reacted to the judgment stating, “I welcome the unanimous decisions taken by the apex court in the Shri ram janmabhoomi issue. I appeal to people of all communities and religions to accept this decision, and with peace and friendship, work towards 'one India-great India'.”
श्रीराम जन्मभूमि पर सर्वसम्मति से आये सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के फैसले का मैं स्वागत करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 9, 2019
मैं सभी समुदायों और धर्म के लोगों से अपील करता हूँ कि हम इस निर्णय को सहजता से स्वीकारते हुए शांति और सौहार्द से परिपूर्ण ‘एक भारत-श्रेष्ठ भारत’ के अपने संकल्प के प्रति कटिबद्ध रहें।
In a series of tweets, he said, “I am certain that apex court's historic decision will prove to be a milestone. This decision will strengthen India's unity, sovereignty and great heritage. The decades-long ram janmabhoomi legal dispute has today reached its culmination. I appreciate all the judges in the judicial system.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the judgment would strengthen the “social fabric” of India. “The judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court on Ayodhya is historic. The judgement will further strengthen India’s social fabric. I urge everyone to take the verdict with equanimity and magnanimity. I also appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony after this landmark verdict,” he said.
The Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court on Ayodhya is historic. The Judgement will further strengthen India’s social fabric.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 9, 2019
I urge everyone to take the verdict with equanimity and magnanimity. I also appeal to the people to maintain peace & harmony after this landmark verdict. pic.twitter.com/DWnVRPuXMG
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the party is in favour of Supreme Court's verdict, “We are in favour of the construction of Ram Temple. 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,” he said.
‘Neither a victory nor a defeat for anyone’: Yediyurappa
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa of the BJP in a tweet, called for peace and harmony, while welcoming the apex court’s judgement. “Let us all wholeheartedly welcome the apex court verdict. This is neither a victory for anyone, nor a defeat for anyone. Don’t react emotionally. Let the harmony and peace prevail,” Yediyurappa said.
Let us all wholeheartedly welcome the apex court verdict. This is neither a victory for anyone, nor a defeat for anyone. Don’t react emotionally. Let the harmony and peace prevail.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 9, 2019
#AYODHYAVERDICT #AyodhyaCase
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSRCP too appealed to all communities to maintain peace and avoid making provocative statements. “The Supreme Court of India has ruled in this regard after both parties agreed to abide by the verdict in the Ayodhya case. Under such circumstances, I appeal to all communities not to make any provocative comments that would disrupt communal harmony,” he said.
అయోధ్యలో నిర్మాణంపై తీర్పునకు కట్టుబడి ఉంటామని ఇరుపక్షాలూ సుప్రీంకోర్టుకు తెలియజేసినమీదటే ఈ విషయంలో భారతదేశ అత్యున్నత న్యాయస్థానం తీర్పు వెలువడింది. ఇటువంటి పరిస్థితుల్లో మతసామరస్యానికి భంగం కలిగించేలా, రెచ్చగొట్టేలా ఎలాంటి వ్యాఖ్యలు చేయరాదని అన్ని వర్గాలకూ విజ్ఞప్తిచేస్తున్నాను.
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) November 9, 2019
‘Judgment not based on law and evidence’: Thirumavalavan
VCK chief and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan reacted to the Ayodhya verdict on Saturday saying, "The verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on the Babri Masjid case is not one delivered based on law and evidence. It is one based on attempt to compromise, with considerations of law and order, and communal harmony."
இசுலாமியர்கள் உரியஆவணங்களை ஒப்படைக்கவில்லைஎனில்
— Thol.Thirumavalavan (@thirumaofficial) November 9, 2019
இந்துஅமைப்புகள் என்னஆவணங்களை ஒப்படைத்தார்கள்என்ற கேள்விஎழுகிறது.சாஸ்திரங்களின் அடிப்படையிலாக இந்துக்களின் நம்பிக்கையை மட்டுமே ஆதாரமாக வைத்து மொத்த இடத்தையும் இந்துக்களுக்கே வழங்கியிருப்பது அரசியல்தலையீட்டின் வெளிப்பாடாகவே தெரிகிறது.
He further stated that the verdict to give alternate land to the Muslim parties was not one based on upholding the law. “Rather it appears to be an attempt at compromise. Just as the central government should constitute a trust for the construction of a Ram temple, why should there not be a Trust also for the construction of the Babri Masjid?,” he added
He also asked, "When the Muslim parties did not submit sufficient evidence, the question arises, what evidence did the Hindu organisations submit? It appears to be a sign of political interference that the entire site has been given to the Hindus based only on the proof of their belief, based on shastras."
Reacting to the developments, DMK chief and Tamil Nadu's Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin said in a statement, "The Supreme Court has found a solution for a dispute that has been ongoing for a long time. After the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court itself has delivered a verdict, all sides should accept it with equality, without subjecting it to likes and dislikes; religious harmony should be preserved. I firmly believe that [all sides] will take this forward with a feeling of caution, without damage to the diversity of the country."
Addressing reporters outside his Poes Garden residence, actor-cum-politician Rajinikanth said, "I respect this verdict of the Supreme Court. I ask that everyone should respect it. I ask that people of all faiths must unitedly strive for the welfare and growth of India without religious differences. Thank you. Vanakkam. Jai Hind."
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) stated that it respects the court order and that it would react after reading the judgment. “We will respect the court order. So that is what we are saying. We will react after getting the full copy of judgment. Day after tomorrow there will be a meeting to discuss things’” National General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) PK Kunhalikutty said.
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted a book cover, whose title reads, "Supreme but not Infallible. Essays in honour of the Supreme Court of India."
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) November 9, 2019