Shiv Sainiks will maintain peace post-Ayodhya verdict: Uddhav

MUMBAI - Days after the Muslim community urged restraint after the judgment on the Babri Mosque title suit is announced Sep 24, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray Tuesday assured that his party activists would maintain peace and calm.

Thackeray’s announcement came in the wake of a similar appeal by the government urging all political parties to exercise restraint in the wake of the judgment.

He told media persons that while his men would be under control, it was up to the state government to now rise to the occasion and ensure peace and safety for the citizens in the state.

“When Rahul Gandhi had come to Mumbai earlier this year, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had stepped out on the roads for his security. Now, he must show a similar concern for the people of the state,” Thackeray said.

Last Friday, Muslim intellectuals and religious scholars had called upon the community members to maintain peace and communal harmony after the judgment.

The Federation of Minorities NGOs also appealed to the Muslims not to get emotionally swayed by the court ruling and maintain peace and calm at all costs.

“The judgment may favour one community or disfavour another community. In such a case, both communities have the option to appeal. The road does not end here,” said Maulana Zaheer Abaas Rizvi, general secretary of All India Shia Personal Law Board.

“My request to both communities is simple - please do not celebrate if the judgment is in your favour, or protest if it goes against you,” urged Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi, general secretary of All India Ulema Council.

Other speakers alleged that some forces having a vested interest in the outcome would attempt to create a rift among the members of the two communities and urged that such individuals must be “boycotted” by both sides.

Mumbai was engulfed in the worst-ever communal riots in its history between December 1992-January 1993 in the wake of the demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya Dec 6, 1992. Around 900 people were killed in the violence.

The riots were followed by the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial bombings at 13 locations, including the Air India Building, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the regional passport office and other sites. At least 250 people were killed and 700 injured.