Striking a discordant note, All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB) member and Imam of the lucknow Idgaah Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli has welcomed the observation of the Supreme Court for an out-of-court negotiated settlement of the vexed Ayodhya dispute.
Former Additional Advocate General and AIMPlB member Zafaryaab Jilani had rejected the apex court suggestion on Tuesday saying that private negotiations in the past yielded no result and there was no purpose in repeating the same process once again.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Firangi Mahli said, ``I welcome the Supreme Court observation for negotiated settlement of the dispute. We are ready for an out-of-court settlement.”
The Maulana said that there was nothing wrong if another more attempt is made for out-of-court settlement of the dispute through negotiations with leaders of both communities in the larger interest of the society and the country.
“Muslims were never against Ram temple in Ayodhya. It’s the political parties who vitiate the atmosphere whenever an attempt is made for a settlement to the dispute,’’ said Maulana Firangi Mahli.
AIMPlB membver and Babri Masjid Action committee Convenor Zafaryab Jilani said on Tuesday, “We welcome the apex court observation but we wish to inform the court that private negotiations are not possible. For the last 31 years, we have been trying out of court settlement but in vain. If the apex court issues a direction then AIMPlB executive committee could consider it.’’
Nirmohi Akhada, Ramlala Virajmaan and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board are the three parties in the Ayodhya dispute which is not about the temple or mosque, but about the title of the ownership of 2.77 acres of land where the mosque stood till December 6 1992.
On Tuesday, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar had suggested to sort out the issues through negotiations which agreed upon by all petitioners and respondents.
The Apex Court also made it clear that if the negotiations fail, then the Court may intervene and appoint a moderator to resolve the issues. The court said, ``The Ram temple in Ayodhya is a sensitive issue and should be resolved outside-the-court through negotiations.’’