‘Nirvani Akahara’ allowed to file submission in Ayodhya case

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 22

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Nirvani Akahara — one of the Hindu parties in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute — to file its written submission even after the expiry of three days granted by it for the purpose.

Nirvani Akahara is claiming “right to manage worship of the deity” as ‘shebait’ (devotee) at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Its counsel told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi his client “miscalculated” the three-day period for filing written submission on moulding of relief. “You file it now,” the CJI told senior advocate Jaideep Gupta who represented Nirvani Akhara.

Besides Nirvani Akahara, Nirmohi Akahara is also seeking right to manage the birthplace of Ram Lalla. While Nirmohi Akahara had filed a lawsuit in 1959, Nirvani Akahar’ became a party to two separate suits filed by Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board and Ram Lalla in 1961 and 1989, respectively.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the CJI reserved its verdict on October 16 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.

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

The Muslim parties said, “The decision by the court, whichever way it goes, will impact future generations. It will also have consequences for the polity of this country. The court’s decision may impact the minds of millions who are citizens of this country and who believe in constitutional values.”

Ram Lalla 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,” Ram Lalla stated in His written submission filed on Friday.