Ayodhya verdict not about Hindus, Muslims: Babri panel

LUCKNOW - The Ayodhya verdict will not be about Hindus or Muslims, but will reflect the victory of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, Zafaryab Jilani, the Babri Masjid Action Committee convenor, said ahead of the Ayodhya verdict Thursday.

“These cases relating to the title and possession of Babri Masjid are apparently between two communities but actually they relate to the secular fabric of the country,” Jilani, who is also counsel for the Sunni Central Waqf Board, said in a statement here.

“The personality of Lord Rama is not at all in dispute. He has been described as ‘Imam-e-Hind’ by the great poet of the East, Allama Iqbal, who had composed the Tarana-i-Hind (Saare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara),” he said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is set to rule on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits at 3.30 p.m. Thursday.

Jilani said, “Today’s judgment should not be taken by the people of India in the sense of victory or defeat of any party or community, but rather they should take it as the victory of the rule of law and independence of judiciary.”

“Any party to the dispute which may feel dissatisfied with the judgment as a whole or with any portion thereof, has the remedy of approaching the Supreme Court.”

He appealed to people to maintain peace in the aftermath of the verdict.

“As such, we have to behave in a very responsible and disciplined manner and should not express our sentiments or feelings in any such manner which may offend the feelings or sentiments of others.”

He said, “The issue of Babri Masjid does not relate even to the rule of Babar who had defeated Ibrabim Lodhi to take over the reigns of the country.”

According to Jilani, who is associated with the case for the last 21 years, “Today’s historic judgment is likely to decide the Babri Masjid controversy on the basis of admissible evidence and principles of law recognised by our judicial system.”

“Whatever may be the findings of the court, one thing is likely to be vindicated today that our judiciary is competent and has the courage to decide each and every sort of dispute.”

“Our judiciary is likely to vindicate today that it is not influenced by any considerations other than those which are recognised by the law of the land.”