The RSS and the BJP welcomed the Supreme Court judgment that declined to set up a larger Bench for a relook of its 1994 verdict which held a “mosque is not an essential part of the practice of Islam”.
The RSS expressed confidence that a “just verdict” in the case will be reached at the earliest. “We welcome this decision (to start the hearing) and are confident that a just verdict will be reached in the case at the earliest,” the Sangh said in a statement.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said it is for the country’s benefit that the Ayodhya issue is resolved quickly. “The majority of this nation wants a solution at the earliest,” he said.
During the three-day lecture series of the RSS this month, its chief Mohan Bhagwat had said not just Hindus, but others too called Ram the “Imam-e-Hind” and construction of Ram Temple would remove the major source of tension between Hindus and Muslims.
He said, “A grand mandir for Ram should be built at the Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya as soon as possible. Many communities across religions look up to Ram as their ideal. For some he is Imam-e-Hind. As a Sarsanghchalak, I think it is only right that a grand mandir should be built there.”
“The building of Ram mandir will end a major issue of friction between Hindus and Muslims. And if it is done amicably, it will automatically silence those who point fingers at the Muslim community.”
Vishwa Hindu Parishad also expressed satisfaction with the judgment.
“I am satisfied that this impediment has been defeated. The way is now clear for the hearing of Ram janmabhoomi appeals,” tweweted VHP working president Alok Kumar.
Union Minister Uma Bharti said Ayodhya is an important holy site for Hindus, not for Muslims, for whom that place is Mecca. Bharti was reacting to questions on the Ayodhya dispute after the Supreme Court ruling in the case.
“This isn’t a matter of religious dispute as Ayodhya is an important religious place for Hindus because it is the Ram Janmabhoomi (the birthplace of Lord Ram) but for Muslims, it isn’t a religious place. For them it is Mecca,” said the 59-year-old Minister, who has always been a vocal champion of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.
BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy said he will move the Supreme Court on Friday to request for expedited hearings in the case. He said he will move his plea on the grounds that his fundamental right to practice and propagate his religion supersedes the Sunni Waqf Board’s ordinary right to property.
Welcoming the judgment, Swamy said it paved “My fundamental right to pray where Ram was born”. “Road to final verdict cleared, right to pray superior to property rights,” said the BJP MP.
