Mixed response in Ayodhya to apex court’s stay on verdict

AYODHYA - The Supreme Court’s decision to stay, till Sep 28, the pronouncement of the verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title case by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, has evoked a mixed response in this Hindu holy city.

While some believe it will give another chance to the parties to think of sorting out the long pending dispute amicably, others are of the opinion that the apex court’s order will only prolong the 60-year-old case.

“I personally believe that the parties involved in the case have once again got a chance to think of sorting out the issue through discussions and talks,” Manohar Rai, 45, who owns a readymade garments showroom in the Rakabganj area here, told IANS.

Echoing similar sentiments, Vishwas Gupta (40), who sells music cassettes and CDs at his shop in the Hanuman Garhi area said: “I agree with my other friends who say that it’s unlikely that the matter could be sorted out amicably. But anything unlikely cannot always be impossible. If the apex court has deferred the judgment, it would have taken that decision considering some points.”

However, Deepak Kumar, a teacher at the junior high school, differed with these opinions. “We must not forget that the main parties involved in the dispute had earlier turned down the proposal for out-of-court settlement in connection with the Ayodhya judgment. I don’t believe that the parties will have a change of heart in the next five-six days.”

There were some who were not pleased with the deferment.

Rahul Singh, a BA student of the Saket Degree College, said: “Students here want the case should not be prolonged and the final verdict must come as early as possible as the security arrangements are adversely affecting the educational atmosphere in our city.”

“Several schools and colleges have been transformed into jails… Various schools have become virtual home of security personnel… All this is affecting the studies,” he added.