Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and Sunni Waqf Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court verdict staying the Allahabad High Court verdict dividing the site of the razed Babri Masjid in Ayodhya into three parts and terming it “strange”. “I agree with it. In fact, the petition (on behalf) of Ram Janmabhoomi lala (deity) said for setting aside that part of the order... No one had asked for one-third, one-third partition,” said Mr. Prasad, who is representing Ram Lalla Virajman in the case. He also stated that he was speaking as a senior advocate, not as a BJP spokesperson.
The Supreme Court stayed the September 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict that had divided the site of the Babri Masjid amongst the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhada and a Hindu party, ‘Ram Lalla’
By directing the partition of the disputed site, the high court has given an entirely new dimension to the case,” the apex court said.
“It is a rare judgement whose operation has to be stayed,” it added.
Sunni Waqf Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani said, “We are satisfied with today’s order of the Supreme Court...This will help in maintaining peaceful position in the country.”
“Everybody had claimed for exclusive rights, so Supreme Court is completely justified in staying the High Court judgement,” he said, adding, “Sunni Waqf board will ask the court to expedite its hearing in the case.”
Expressing satisfaction over the apex court order, counsel representing Hindu Maha Sabha said, “Nobody prayed for it (partition of land into three parts). Everybody wanted full land. Our stand continues that entire Janmabhoomi premises belongs to the Hindu Maha Sabha.”
