Ayodhya verdict – Religious leaders appeal for calm

With just days to go before the Supreme Court delivers its verdict in the Ayodhya temple-mosque dispute, religious leaders and organisations from both Hindu and Muslim communities have made appeals for peace and calm.

Top Muslim clerics across Uttar Pradesh led appeals for peace in mosques just before prayers, asking people from the community to maintain communal peace at all costs.

Whatever the Supreme Court says, it has to be respected. There should be no celebration or any public opposition. Nothing should be said to hurt the sentiments of any other community. We have to maintain peace at all costs. – Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, Shahi Imam, Lucknow

Mr Rasheed, who is also the president of the Islamic Centre of India and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board added that the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb should not be allowed to be damaged”.

The appeal from the Muslim side comes a day after the ruling BJP’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) tweeted, “Whatever be the verdict, everyone should accept it with an open mind. After the judgment, it is everyone’s responsibility that the atmosphere of the country should remain cordial.”

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh police officer has been visiting Ayodhya to review security arrangements ahead of the verdict that is expected within the next 15 days.

The police is holding meetings at the village-level in Ayodhya and elsewhere in the state. A large number of state and paramilitary forces will be placed in the next few days.

“I think we will be able to secure this place better and ensure there is not even a 1% deviation,” said P V Rama Sastry, Additional Director General, Law and Order, Uttar Pradesh Police,.