Cutting across party lines, politicians welcome SC judgment in Ayodhya case

Mumbai:

Cutting across party lines, politicians have welcomed the Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya case on Saturday. Reacting to the verdict Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that it should not be seen as a victory or defeat of anyone. “Be it Rambhakti or Rahimbhakti, this is the time for all of us to strengthen the spirit of Bharatbhakti. The temple of justice has resolved decades old dispute amicably”, he remarked. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a tweet stated “we must respect SC judgment and maintain mutual harmony. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray announced that he would like to revisit Ayodhya on November 24 depending upon the law and order situation.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar said “Supreme Court has given its final verdict on the Ayodhya. I and our party respect this decision. It is expected that all political parties and religious organisations will respect this decision”.  Union Law Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad termed it as a historic day when a landmark judgment has been delivered upholding the majesty of India.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat called upon all to forget the past and move on ahead. “This case was going on for decades and it has reached the right conclusion. There was a historic background to the RSS being involved with the Ayodhya, as an organization we do not involve ourselves in agitations and we will revert to our man making (Manav Utthan) mission”, he added. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray in an statement stated that the verdict means that the sacrifice of those Kar Sevaks has not gone in vain. He added that had late Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray been alive he would have been definitely overjoyed.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in an statement issued has stated that the SCs Ayodhya judgment is a significant and decisive step towards the construction of temple of Lord Ram. The VHP urged the Center to take expeditious steps for early construction of a grand temple. Meanwhile, Chairman of UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, Lucknow, Zufar Faruqi while welcoming and humbly accepting the SC verdict, has also clarified that the Sunni Central Waqf Board will not go in for any review of the Apex Courts order, or file any curative petition.

Speaking to newspersons at Sena Bhavan, Dadar, Sena president Uddhav Thackeray terming it as a dawn of a new era stated that last year he had visited Ayodhya on November 24, I once again intend to go on November 24 this month. “Last year while going to Ayodhya I had carried along the soil of Shivneri fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There is some magic in the soil here. The verdict has come exactly within a year. In the next two three days I shall once again go to Shivneri fort to pay my respects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.  It is but natural to invoke memories of late Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. I shall definitely call on L K Advani he had led the Ayodhya Rath Yatra”.

Acting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the SC Ayodhya verdict as one which strengthened the high ideals of Indias democratic values. He added that the judgment strengthens the core beliefs of Indian ethos. He added that no one should view the judgment through different spectacles. Appealing to the people to maintain peace, Fadnavis reminded that in coming days many festivals of many faiths are due to be celebrated and hence the need for all to maintain peace and calm.