Hindu, Muslim religious leaders repose full faith in rule of law, resolve to honour SC verdict on Ayodhya

New Delhi: Eminent Hindu and Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals, who attended the inter-religious faith meet at National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s residence here on Sunday, have reposed their full faith in the rule of law and extended their full cooperation to the Government in ensuring peace and communal harmony in the country.

“All the participants reposed full faith in the rule of law and Constitution of India. The leaders resolved to honour the decision of the Supreme Court and appealed to all countrymen to abide by it, emphasising that the national interest overrides all other considerations. They extended their full cooperation to the government in ensuring peace, communal harmony and upholding the rule of law,” said a joint press statement issued after the meeting.

The joint press statement said: “In the wake of Supreme Court decision on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, eminent Hindu and Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals had an interaction with the National Security Advisor today. The interaction helped to strengthen communication between top religious leaders to maintain a spirit of amity and brotherhood amongst all communities.”

“Those attending the meeting were alive to the fact that certain anti-national and hostile elements, both within and outside the country, may attempt to exploit the situation to harm our national interest. The religious leaders pledged their unstinted support to the Government in all the measures it may take, to maintain peace and order, in the society,” it added.

As per the statement, the religious leaders noted with satisfaction that millions of Indians, belonging to both the communities, displayed a great sense of responsibility, sensitivity, and restraint in accepting the Court verdict.

“All the participants appreciated the initiative and emphasised the need for a continuous dialogue between various communities in the future. They complimented the government for ensuring safety and security of every individual,” added the statement.

The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the Central government to hand over the disputed site at Ayodhya for the construction of a temple and set up a trust for this.

The apex court further directed the government to give a suitable plot of land measuring five acres to the Sunni Waqf Board.

Decision on November 26

The Sunni Central Waqf Board on Sunday said a decision on whether to accept a 5-acre land for building a mosque in Ayodhya will be taken at its meeting likely on November 26.

UP Sunni Central Waqf Board Chairman, Zufar Farooqui said that he was getting diverse views on whether to take the land.

“Board’s general body meeting is expected on November 26 in which it will be decided whether to take 5-acre land as directed by the Supreme Court or not,” he said.

“The meeting was earlier scheduled on Nov 13 but it was postponed and is now expected on Nov 26. I am getting diverse views on taking the land but I personally feel negativity can be won only with positivity,” Farooqui said.

He said some people are advising that land should not be taken for the Babri mosque but “I think it will increase negativity.”

Noting that he had advocated for mediation to resolve Ayodhya issue, Farooqui said, “Though mediation did not succeed my views are clear.”

“Some persons are also advising that the land should be taken by Waqf board and an educational institution, with a mosque established in its premises,” he said.

He said as far as land is concerned, government has to follow the Supreme Court verdict.

“We will decide whether we will take it or not. If the Board decides to take land in its meeting, we will decide how it is to be taken and what will be its condition,” he added.

“We welcome the Supreme Court verdict in the case. The Board has no plans to challenge it.

The Board had last month proposed withdrawing claim on the disputed land with some conditions in national interest.