Hindu groups criticise plea for review of Ayodhya order

TITLE DISPUTE Term the decision a tactic to stall the construction of a Ram temple

LUCKNOW: Prominent Hindu groups flayed the Jamiat-ulemai-hind’s (JUH) decision to ask the Supreme Court on Monday to review its judgment in the Ram Janmabhoomi-babri Masjid title suit even as the Muslim body defended its petition.

The Hindu groups dubbed the decision a tactic to stall the construction of a Ram temple.

“The review petition will have no impact on the Ayodhya verdict,” said Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas that spearheads the Ram temple movement. “This petition will create disharmony between Hindu and Muslims,” he added.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), also attacked the JUH.

“This review petition is yet another attempt by Muslim organisations to obstruct construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya ,” said Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson, VHP.

The JUH said the review petition was not filed to disturb communal harmony.

“We filed a review as the verdict is beyond understanding. Justice has not been done,” said JUH chief Maulana Arshad Madani .

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has already announced its intention of filing a review petition but a number of other litigants, including the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, have said they respect the top court’s judgment.

Waqf Board chief Zafar Farooqui said the body had already cleared its stand on the issue and referred to a meeting last month that decided against filing a review petition.

“I have always maintained that I will accept the courts’ decision whether it is in favour of mandir or mosque. I am personally against any decision to go for review of the court’s verdict,” said Iqbal Ansari, a Muslim litigant.