Petitioners divided on out-of-court settlement, want SC to expedite case

AYODHYA: After the Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, Ram Lalla Virajman, one of the three original petitioners in the Ayodhya case, ruled out a compromise with the Sunni Central Waqf Board, which is the third petitioner in the case, and said that it wants the apex court to expedite hearing on the main temple issue.

However, the second petitioner in the case – Nirmohi Akhara- will continue to hold talks with the Sunni Central Waqf Board and other Muslim bodies for out-of-court settlement in the case alongside fighting the legal battle in the Supreme Court.

The Ram Lalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Central Waqf Board are the three original petitioners in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case.

Triloki Nath Pandey, who represents

We have been striving hard for an outofcourt amicable solution for too long, but to no avail. After Thursday’s verdict, all doors for outof court settlement on the Ram Mandir issue are closed

TRILOKI NATH PANDEY, petitioner

Ram Lalla Virajman in the Supreme Court said, “The Supreme Court has made it clear that mosque is not essential for prayer in Islam. Muslims must understand this.”

On the possibility of an out-ofcourt settlement with Muslims after Thursday’s verdict Pandey said, “We have been striving hard for an out-of-court amicable solution for too long, but to no avail. After Thursday’s verdict, all doors for out-of court settlement on the Ram Mandir issue are closed,” asserted P andey.

“Now, we only want the Supreme Court to expedite court proceedings. We are confident that Ram Mandir will be constructed in Ayodhya,” Pandey added. However, Mahant Dhinendra Das of the Nirmohi Akhara said, “We welcome the Supreme Court verdict. We want the court to expedite proceedings in the case. But the Nirmohi Akhara will also continue its efforts for out-of-court settlement.

“We want an amicable solution to the problem. We do not want enmity with anyone (Muslims). Our efforts for out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute will continue,” he asserted.

Pandey also blamed the Congress party for delaying the hearing of the Ayodhya dispute in the Supreme Court.