Some parties open to compromise solution: Land for temple to save mosques elsewhere

NEW DELHI: Some parties from both the Hindu and Muslim sides, including one of the principal litigants, Sunni Central Waqf Board, on Wednesday told the Supreme Court through a mediation panel that they could agree to a settlement in which a temple would be built on the disputed site in lieu of certain safeguards for mosques across the country.

People familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that the proposal, submitted to the top court by the mediators — retired SC judge justice FMI Kalifulla, senior advocate Sriram Panchu and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar — effectively offers a possible road map for the court as it prepares to deliver a verdict in the decadeslong dispute.

According to the settlement proposed by the parties, the Sunni Central Waqf Board would be willing to give up its claim on the disputed 2.77-acre land if four conditions were met. First, the status quo of all religious sites in India be maintained as per how they existed at the time of Independence. Second, other existing mosques in Ayodhya be renovated by the government. Third, the Waqf board be allowed to build a mosque at a suitable place other than the disputed site. And fourth, prayers be allowed at several mosques across the country where access is restricted due to norms set by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The people said that the settlement has been signed from the Hindu side by at least three parties — Nirvani Akhara, the parent body of the Nirmohi Akhara, and the Ram Janmabhoomi Punrudhar Committee represented by Swami Avimukteshwaranand.

To be sure, two of the main parties from the Hindu side, the infant deity Ram Lalla and the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, have not signed the settlement. Nor has the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind from the Muslim side. In other words, most of the hardline groups on either side of the case are not on board with the settlement plan submitted by the mediators.

The settlement also asked for a national institution for harmony between communities to be set up in Ayodhya.

In September 2010, the Allahabad high court ordered trifurcation of the disputed land among the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and representatives of Ram Lalla. Fourteen appeals were filed in the top court against the high court verdict.

The Supreme Court in March 2019 referred the matter to the three-member mediation panel. The proceedings did not result in any settlement, the mediation panel said in August. But the efforts were revived in September, and the mediation panel submitted its final report to the top court on October 16 (Wednesday), the last day of hearing.

“In no way can it said that the Sunni Waqf Board has withdrawn its claim from the petition. The trial has been completed and the judgment is reserved.

But in a case as important and complicated as this, the road map could prove to be an important tool towards reaching a verdict that resolves the issue,” said a person familiar with the developments who asked not to be named.

Media reports early on Thursday suggested that the Sunni Central Waqf Board had in a dramatic twist withdrawn its petition in the matter.