Ahead of Ayodhya verdict, government seeks peace (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Afraid that the Ayodhya verdict Sep 24 could spark trouble, the government Thursday appealed to people to maintain calm when the judiciary rules on the dragging dispute.

“There should be no attempt by any section to provoke any other section or indulge in any expression of opinion that will hurt the sentiments of other people,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said here reading out a resolution passed by the cabinet.

“The government further appeals to all sections of society to maintain peace and order after the judgment,” she said.

A three-judge special bench of the Allahabad High Court is set to give its verdict in the 51-year-old legal dispute next week.

The minister said: “It is important for all to ensure that the highest traditions of Indian culture and respect for all religions is fully maintained.”

The appeal came even as the Uttar Pradesh government mobilised thousands of paramilitary forces to tackle any negative fallout of the ruling, which may go in favour of the Hindu or Muslim parties.

The dispute seeks to decide the ownership of the land where the Babri mosque was built in the 16th century. The mosque was razed by Hindu mobs Dec 6, 1992, claiming that it stood at the birthsite of Hindu god Ram.

Minister Soni sought to underline that the Sep 24 verdict, irrespective of how it went, would not be the last word on the issue.

She said the judgment was the “outcome of a long judicial process. It goes without saying that it needs to be treated with utmost respect.

“The determination on the issues need not necessarily end with this judgment unless it is accepted by all parties. In case any of the parties feels that further judicial consideration is required, there are legal remedies available which can be resorted to.

“Keeping this in mind, it is necessary for all sections of the people of India to maintain tranquility in the aftermath of the judgment.”

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Monday called upon the rival parties to explore the possibility of a last-minute amicable settlement of the dispute.

The court made the appeal following an application by a retired govenrment employee who argued that an emotively divisive issue should not be allowed to cause trouble ahead of the October Commonwealth Games.

The Babri mosque razing, blamed on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and allied groups, triggered the worst communal violence since the country got independence in 1947.

Soni emphasized that India was on the path of inclusive growth. “Nothing must be said or done and nothing must happen that they cause us to deviate from our goals and our objectives.”