MOST OBSERVE RESTRAINT, BUT SOME CELEBRATE

The much-awaited Supreme Court verdict left many in Hyderabad celebrating. Firecrackers were burst, sweets distributed in many places.

One of the oldest educational institutions, Pragathi Mahavidyalaya, supported by the Gujarati Trust, burst crackers in the college premises as a part of celebration as soon as the judgment was pronounced. Students and staff joined in the celebrations and sweets were distributed.

“This judgment should have come long back. One national party, for its own benefit, to keep one minority community happy and their vote bank strong prolonged this case. When the High Court gave a judgment at that point of time, the environment was like a curfew. See, today, the Supreme Court gave the decision and all is normal. Now we all are happy. For us, this is second Diwali. We celebrated with the burning of crackers and the distributing of sweets," said Mr Jignesh Joshi, secretary of Gujarati Samaj in Hyderabad.

Dr Naidu, director of the institution, said, “It's good for the nation. Now, everyone will live in peace and harmony. This will lead to the success of the nation. Rather, you can say it’s a blessing to the nation. Now all the political parties using this issue for vote bank politics cannot do it anymore.”

“For many, the verdict comes as a relief. As you can see, both the communities are fine with the decision. We should wholeheartedly welcome this decision and move forward unity and harmony for the growth of the nation,” said Mr Subbiah Chowdhary, a manager at SBI.

Mr Titus Prakash, a Dalit Christian from Secunderabad, said it was a day of mourning for him. Mr Pathan Imran Armaan Khan of Banjara Hills said that this was a shameful day for the Constitution and secularism.