Ayodhya verdict will have ‘consequences’ for future polity: Muslim parties

New Delhi, October 21

Muslim parties, including UP Sunni Wakf Board, have filed their written submissions in the Supreme Court in the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute at Ayodhya saying the verdict would have “consequences” for the future polity of the country.

The Muslim parties, which had filed the notes in sealed covers to the five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, later issued a statement for the common public.

“The Muslim party contestants before this Hon’ble Court wish to state that: the decision by this Hon’ble Court, whichever way it goes, will impact future generations. It will also have consequences for the polity of this country,” the note prepared by senior lawyer Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the Muslim parties, said.

It said that “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.”

It said since the judgment would 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 would reflect the constitutional values that this great nation espoused.

“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. When moulding the relief, this Court must also consider how future generations will view this verdict,” it said.

On Saturday, the Hindu and Muslim parties had filed their written submissions in the Supreme Court, with the counsel for the deity ‘Ram Lalla’ asserting that Hindus had been worshipping at the disputed area “since time immemorial” and the birthplace of the Lord Ram is “non-negotiable”.

The top court, which reserved the verdict in the politically sensitive case on October 16 after hearing it for 40 days, had asked the litigating parties, including the deity Ram Lalla (represented by next friend Deoki Nandan Agrawal) and  UP Sunni Central Wakf Board, to submit their written notes within three days.

The parties were asked to give their views on “moulding of reliefs”, which they sought in the vexatious dispute, so that the apex court could narrow down the issues needed to be adjudicated upon. PTI