The Sunni Waqf Board, which lost the title suit for the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Supreme Court today but was granted an additional plot of land to rebuild the Babri Masjid, has said that the judgement is unjust for the Muslim parties. In a press conference held after the verdict was announced, they said that they are dissatisfied with some findings of the judgement. The land has been given to the other party, so we can’t term it as justice, although they respect the verdict.
Babri Masjid Action Committee member and Sunni Waqf Board’s lawyer Zafarayab Jilani said that they will study the judgement and consult with senior lawyers to decide whether to file a review petition against the apex court verdict. He said that the court held that the suit number 3 (filed by Waqf board) is valid, but still gave the land to the other party, which is not satisfactory.
When asked about the alternate site given for Muslims, Jilani said that Muslims can’t accept land in exchange of mosque, as the mosque is owned by Allah. He said that the Masjid is priceless and it can’t be shifted, adding that the 5-acre land has no value for Muslims. Jilani said that the Working Committee of AIMPLB will decide whether to accept the 5-acre land or not.
Jilani also appealed everyone to maintain calm and respect the verdict, he said that there should not be any protest or demonstration against the court verdict.
In a historic judgement, the 5-judge bench of Supreme Court headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi handed over the entire disputed land of 2.77 acres in Ayodhya for construction of the Ram Mandir. At the same time, the court asked the government to provide 5 acres of land at a prominent place in Ayodhya to the Muslim parties represented by the Sunni Waqf Board. The apex court has asked the central government to formulate a scheme for the same within 3 months. The government will have to form a board of trustees for construction of the temple.
