Muslim Bodies To Seek Review Of Ayodhya Verdict. Say Thanks, But No Thanks For The Mosque Land

Nearly a week after the Supreme Court delivered the historic verdict, which would have settled the Ayodhya dispute that had lingered for decades the case is set to drag further.

This comes after to Muslim bodies, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind decide to challenge the SC verdict and file a review petition.

AFP

"The land of the mosque belongs to Allah and under the Sharia, it cannot be given to anybody," AIMPLB secretary Zafaryab Jilani said after a meeting of the board in Lucknow.

AIMPLB said that it was also against accepting the five-acre alternative land given for a mosque.

"The board has also categorically stated that it was against taking five-acre land in Ayodhya in lieu of the mosque. The board is of the view that there cannot be any alternative to the mosque," he added.

AFP

¡°Building the same mosque at some other site in a situation like this is also not permissible as per Islamic law. Hence, we will file a review petition,¡± he added.

Jilani also questioned how the SC came to the judgment after it stated that the installation of the statue of Lord Ram inside the Babri Masjid was unconstitutional.

"On the night of December 23, 1949, the installation of the statue of Lord Ram inside the Babri Masjid was unconstitutional. So, how did the Supreme Court consider them as 'aaradhya' (eligible for worshipping)? They (idols) cannot be considered as 'aaradhya' (eligible for worshipping) even as per Hindu religion."

Earlier the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had also decided to file a review petition challenging the Ayodhya verdict.

Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani said they took the decision following extensive deliberations involving lawyers and experts.

The expert panel observed that the judgment was against the Muslim parties and it was not a final judgment as the option of reviewing it is available under the Constitution of India, the Jamiat said.

AFP

The Supreme Court had on the 9th of November ruled that the entire 2.77 acres of disputed land should be handed over to Hindus. The court had asked the government to set up a trust within three months to oversee the construction of the temple on the site. The SC had also said that an alternative land of five acres will be granted to the Muslims.

Several Muslim groups had initially said that they did not get justice in the case but will accept the Supreme Court's verdict.