Parties send mixed signals on out-of-court suggestion

Supreme Court’s suggestion of an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya Ram dispute has drawn a mixed response from politicians.

While BJP’s LK Advani and Yogi Adityanath have welcomed the proposal, the Congress has decided to remain cautious. AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi on the other hand rejected the apex court’s suggestion.

“The Supreme Court’s observations are welcome and I hope in light of the apex court’s advice, all concerned parties will reach consensus and will find a solution to resolve the Ram Temple issue,” Advani, the flag bearer of the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign, said.

Upholding the apex court’s observation, Yogi Adityanath assured cooperation from his Uttar Pradesh government in resolving the matter.

Reacting cautiously, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the solution should either be “consensus based”, or the apex court should adjudicate the case on merit. “If all stakeholders can arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus based solution, it will go a long way in ensuring lasting peac. Otherwise, Supreme Court should adjudicate the issue on merits,” he said.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury was of the opinion that the dispute should be resolved by the court. “The dispute went to the court because there was no settlement. The main issue is who the owner of the land is,” he said.

The RSS welcomed the apex court’s proposal, saying the dispute should be resolved at the earliest and a grand shrine should be built with participation of all.

“We support the idea of a settlement outside the court or a legislation to solve the sensitive issue”, RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said.

VHP leader Pravin Togadia said the “Union government must bring and pass the law to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya at the birth place of Shreeram (Lord Ram)”.

Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Uma Bharti also demanded construction of the temple at the disputed site.

The Babri Masjid Action Committee was, however, sceptical of the suggestion, ruling out the possibility of an out-ofcourt settlement. “We are ready with the Chief Justice mediating. We trust him. We are also ready if he nominates a team for hearing the matter. But out of court settlement is not possible”, said Zafaryab Jilani, Convenor of the Committee.

AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi also echoed similar sentiments, stating that the case was about title. “Please remember Babri Masjid case is about title which the Allahabad High Court wrongly decided as a Partnership case. Hence the appeal in apex court,” he tweeted.