Ayodhya Verdict: Prime Minister Modi, Political Leaders React To Supreme Court Judgment On Ram Mandir
Political leaders react to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the decades-old Ayodhya land dispute.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Supreme Court’s judgment on the disputed site at Ayodhya is notable as it “highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law”. He also exhorted Indians for the “calm and peace” maintained in the run-up to today’s verdict.
Other leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government and key opposition party Congress said the apex court’s verdict in the decades-old Ayodhya land dispute case will help “strengthen the social fabric” of the country.
In a unanimous decision, a five-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Hindu parties in the Ayodhya land dispute. The disputed land will be handed over to a trust which will also have representation from the Nirmohi Akhara, the apex court said.
The central government has been granted 3-4 months to formulate a scheme for setting up of the trust and hand over of disputed site for construction of temple. A suitable alternative plot of land measuring 5 acres at Ayodhya will be given to Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque, the court further ordered.
Here’s how political leaders reacted:
Not A Win, Loss For Anybody: Prime Minister Modi
“Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti,” the Prime Minister said in a series of tweets after the Supreme Court decision.
Modi said the apex court’s judgment is notable because:
- It highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law.
- It reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of our judiciary.
- It clearly illustrates everybody is equal before the law.
Amit Shah Congratulates Judiciary
Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the judiciary on finally settling the Ayodhya case which has been going on for decades.
“I welcome the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi,” he said in a tweet. “I appeal to people of all communities and religions to accept this decision with ease and remain committed to our resolve of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’, full of peace and harmony.”
‘Opens Doors For Temple, Closes Doors For Temple Politics’: Congress
The Congress party said the Supreme Court’s decision was taken with respect for all faiths and beliefs.
“The decision of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case cannot be a matter of credit or discredit to any individual, group of people, communities or political parties,” Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a media statement.
The top court’s verdict has opened doors for the construction of the Ram temple, but it has also closed the doors for BJP and other parties to play politics with people’s faith and religion.Randeep Surjewala, Spokesperson, Congress
Supreme, But Not Infallible, Says Asaduddin Owaisi
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that it is travesty that the people responsible for demolishing the Babri mosque have today been handed the land to build a temple.
“The Supreme Court called the demolition of Babri mosque as a violation of the law. I ask, had the Babri mosque not been demolished on Dec. 6, then what would have the court ruled?” he said. “We were fighting for our legal rights. Not for some 5 acre piece of land.”
Making his point, Owaisi tweeted the cover image of a book of essays on the Supreme Court titled Supreme But Not Infallible.
Historic Landmark, Says Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the Supreme Court’s verdict “historic” and urged people to maintain peace.
“The Supreme Court verdict today is a historic and landmark one. Everybody should respect the verdict. This verdict will only strengthen religious and social harmony. I appeal to all the people to maintain peace and calm,” Singh said.
Long Pending Dispute Settled - Pawar
Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar recalled the the destruction of the Babri Masjid and how he was moved from the central government to Mumbai to help quell the riots. The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision will help put this dispute behind us, Pawar said.
Nitin Gadkari Appeals For Peace
Road Transport and Highways Minister said in a democratic country everyone must accept the court’s verdict.
“My only appeal to all the people is to maintain peace and calm across the country,” Gadkari said in a statement.
Arvind Kejriwal Welcomes Judgment
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal welcomed the Supreme Court verdict while urging citizens to maintain peace and harmony.
“The five judge bench of Supreme Court after hearing arguments of all parties gave its verdict. We welcome the SC judgment. The SC gave its verdict on decades old dispute. The dispute of many years ended today. I appeal to all maintain peace and harmony,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
It’s No One’s Defeat, Says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Supreme Court’s verdict has sent a message of peace to the world from India. He said it’s no “one’s defeat”.
“I appeal to all the citizens of the country to maintain unity, love, brotherhood and peace,” he said in press conference.
This is not the question of any political party and it should not be viewed through that prism. The verdict has been delivered and we must respect it.Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Former CM, Madhya Pradesh
Future Action Should Be Taken In ‘Amicable Atmosphere’, Says Mayawati
BSP president Mayawati on Saturday appealed to everyone to maintain an amicable atmosphere after the Supreme Court announced its verdict in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case.
"While respecting the historic, unanimous decision given by the Supreme Court in relation to the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute today as per the secular Constitution of Param Pujya Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, all future action should only be taken in an amicable atmosphere. This is an appeal and suggestion," the Bahujan Samaj Party chief said in a tweet in Hindi.
Balasaheb Would Have Been So Happy, Says Shiv Sena’s Raj Thackeray
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday called the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict a landmark decision and said he wished Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray was alive today.
"Today is the momentous day. The sacrifice of our Karsewaks has finally paid off. Keeping the public sentiments and the facts in the mind, the Supreme Court declared a landmark verdict," the MNS chief tweeted.
"We look forward to expediting the construction of the Ram Mandir and I hope to see the heralding of Ramrajya in the true sense. My thoughts are with Balasaheb as he would have been so happy to witness this historic day," Thackeray's tweet added.
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