Won''t seek review of Ayodhya verdict, says Sunni Waqf Board

Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service
Lucknow, November 9

Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) Zufar Faruqi said on Saturday that the Board would not ask for a review of the Supreme Court’s verdict or file a curative petition in the case.

Speaking to reporters Faruqi said that the Board was “grateful” to the Supreme Court for setting aside as “erroneous” the observation of one of the judges of the Allahabad High Court in 2010, which diluted the provision of the Places of Worship Act 1991.

He said: “Board humbly accepts the verdict of the apex court in the Ayodhya case”.

Responding to a question about a section of people considering a review of the verdict Faruqi said that no such statement can be made on behalf of the Board and should be considered as an individual’s personal opinion.

Regarding the verdict handing over five acres of land to the UPSCWB Faruqi said that they had not made any such plea and hence he would not be able to comment upon it till he reads the judgement.

On another question on where the land for the masjid would be taken Faruqi said he would make a statement on the issue only after consulting the full Board

Faruqi said that he did not agree with AIMIM President and MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s statement regarding the verdict not giving justice and Muslims party not needing the 5 acres of land as donation.

Owaisi had agreed with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) position of not being satisfied with the judgment.

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the AIMPLB Zafaryab Jilani had said that he was dissatisfied with the judgment and after consulting senior lawyers like Rajiv Dhavan may file a review petition against the verdict.

“We will file a review petition if our committee agrees on it. It is our right and it is in Supreme Court’s rules as well,” said Zafaryab Jilani, member of AIMPLB, and lawyer of the Sunni Waqf Board.

In his initial reaction soon after the judgement, Jilani had said in Delhi, "The Ayodhya verdict has a lot of contradictions. We will seek a review as we are not satisfied with the verdict".            

Talking to PTI over the phone later, Jilani clarified that the press conference was organised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and he had reacted as its secretary, not as counsel for the Sunni Waqf Board.

Jilani maintained that he respected the Supreme Court’s decision and to challenge it was his constitutional right.

He also urged people to maintain peace and not make any show of protest or hold any demonstrations. With PTI