Govt appeals for peace after Ayodhya verdict
PTI
NEW DELHI, SEPT 16
Wary of strong reactions to the Allahabad High Court judgement on the Ayodhya dispute on September 24, the government today appealed for peace and tranquility, saying no attempt should be made by any section of people to provoke or hurt the sentiments of others.
With eight days to go for the verdict, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met here and passed a resolution, appealing for peace after the judgement is pronounced.
“It goes without saying that the judgement needs to be treated with the utmost respect,” said the resolution passed by the cabinet and read out by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni to the media.
“At the same time, we must remember the fact that the judgement, at this stage, is one step in the judicial process. The determination of the issues need not necessarily end with this judgement unless it is accepted by all parties,” it said.
The government said “In case any of the parties feel that further judicial consideration is required, there are legal remedies available which could be resorted to.”
Keeping this in mind, the government said it is necessary for all sections of the people of India to maintain equanimity and tranquility in the aftermath of the judgement.”
The resolution was passed against the backdrop of worries in the government that there could be a communal flare-up in the event of the High Court verdict on Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit going either way.
“There should be no attempt whatsoever made by any section of the people to provoke any other section or to indulge in any expression of emotion that would hurt the feelings of other people,” the cabinet resolution said.
The appeal came a day before the special bench of the High Court meets to make a last ditch effort to find an amicable solution to the Ayodhya case.
Top leaders of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad today held a marathon meeting in Delhi to discuss the issue and decided not to adopt a hardline posture if the decision goes against construction of a temple at the disputed site. They favoured an amicable solution.
VHP president Ashok Singhal and general secretary Pravin Togadia reached the RSS office here this morning and held discussions with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband appealed to people to respect the verdict.
“We have full confidence in the judicial system of the country. We appeal to people to respect the verdict of the court and maintain peace and communal harmony in the country,” the seminary’s deputy vice-chancellor Maulana Abdul Khalique Madrasi said in Muzaffarnagar.
