Verdict must reflect constitutional values, say Muslim parties

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20

Maintaining that its verdict will have consequences for India’s polity, Muslim parties to the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute have told the Supreme Court that its verdict should reflect the country’s constitutional values and uphold its multi-religious and multi-cultural values.

In their written submission filed in the top court, they said, “When moulding the relief, this court must also consider how future generations will view this verdict.”

“Since the judgment of this court will have far-reaching implications, it is for the court to consider the consequences of its historic judgment by moulding the relief in a fashion that will reflect the constitutional values that this great nation espouses.

“We hope that the court, in moulding the relief, upholds our multi-religious and multicultural values in resolving the issues confronting it. Moulding the relief is the responsibility of this court, which itself is the sentinel of our Constitution,” they said in their written submission filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool.

The Muslim parties — who have sought restoration of pre-demolition position, said, “The decision by this court, whichever way it goes, will impact future generations. It will also have consequences for the polity of this country. This court’s decision may impact the minds of millions who are citizens of this country and who believe in constitutional values embraced by all when India was declared a republic on January 26, 1950.”

Ram Lalla, who is one of the litigant in the party has claimed title of both the disputed and the acquired land at Ayodhya to the exclusion of all other parties.

“The small area which is the subject matter of the suit is one integral unit and is indivisible. The convenience of worshippers and devotees necessitates the entire disputed area to offer worship at Ram Janmasthan and the acquired area. Moreover, no situation should be created to give rise to perennial law and order problems,” Ram Lalla stated in His written submission filed in the court on Friday.

The written submissions have been filed in terms of the order of a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi which had — while reserving its verdict on October 16 — given then three days to spell out their respective stand on “moulding of relief”.

The Bench — which also included Justice SA Bobde, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S Abdul Nazeer — is to adjudicate on 14 cross-appeals against the Allahabad High Court’s September 30, 2010 judgment equally dividing the 2.77 acre disputed land between Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and Muslims.