Text of the statement by the union home minister on Ayodhya issue
The judgment of the Special Bench of the High Court of Allahabad in the four title suits is scheduled to be delivered on Friday, September 24, 2010.
I am issuing this statement in order to place before the parties to the suits as well as the general public the circumstances and the context in which the judgment must be received and understood.
There are four title suits. There are a number of ‘Issues’ in each suit. It is pertinent to note that Issues were framed by the Trial Court, recast by the High Court, additional Issues were framed by the High Court and, in one case, Issues were recast after certain orders of the Supreme Court. The Issues involve complicated questions of fact and law. Among the questions of fact that are being canvassed are questions relating to possession, dispossession, worship etc. Among the questions of law that are being canvassed are questions relating to maintainability of the suits, adverse possession, prescription, estoppel, limitation, res judicata, the interpretation of UP Muslim Wakfs Act, 1936 etc.
It is possible that there will be one or more judgments delivered by the three-judge Special Bench. The judgments would have to be read carefully, and the findings of the Hon’ble judges on each of the Issues in the four suits would have to be analysed meticulously, before any conclusions may be drawn. The point that I wish to make is that it would be inappropriate to reach any hasty conclusion that one side has ‘won’ or that the other side has ‘lost’. Besides, it would be reasonable to assume that one or both sides would immediately apply to the Special Bench of the High Court for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court on the Issues that either side may think have been decided against it. In fact, Article 134A of the Constitution of India allows a party aggrieved to make an oral application in this regard immediately after the passing of the judgment.
I would, therefore, appeal to all the parties to the suits as well as the general public and the media to reserve their opinions on the judgment or judgments of the Special Bench and not make any hasty pronouncements. While the parties to the suits study the judgment or judgments and ponder over the next steps, I would appeal to the general public to receive the verdict of the Court as the culmination of the legal process that deserves our respect and acceptance.
The government is pleased to note that many organisations, including organisations connected with the parties to the suits, have appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm in the wake of the judgment. Apart from making an appeal for peace, it is the duty of all organisations concerned to actively work to maintain the peace. In particular, all organisations must urge their members not to spread rumours or make provocative statements. It is important that the state governments and the district administrations should immediately activate the peace committees consisting of the residents of a ward or panchayat or mohalla and urge such committees to maintain the utmost vigil and defuse any situation when there is the first sign of trouble. It is the government’s earnest hope that all sections of the people will cooperate with the government in maintaining peace, order, harmony and tranquillity.
The state governments have been advised to take adequate measures to maintain law and order, especially in sensitive areas. The central government has also taken a number of measures to assist the state governments. No one needs to have any apprehension, and if every one realises his/her obligations to society, we can, working together, ensure that there is peace, order and harmony.
