Hindu Mahasabha, Waqf Board to move SC

The Hindu Mahasabha and the Sunni Waqf Board will move the Supreme Court against today’s Allahabad High Court order on the Ayodhya title suit.

While the Hindu Mahasabha has sought the entire 70 acre land at the disputed site for the Hindus and demanded that a temple be built on it, the Sunni Waqf Board said it will not give up the land it holds.

Board lawyer Zafaryab Jilani told reporters in Lucknow: “The HC’s formula of one-third land is not acceptable to the Waqf Board and it will appeal against it in the apex court,” he said.

However, Jilani said, the Sunni Board is open to any negotiated settlement on the issue if such a proposal was possible. “Talks can be held if a proposal comes.”

Jilani said the Board has time to appeal before the SC as status quo would be maintained for the next 90 days. “The Board will move the apex court after a meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. We are not in hurry as we have 90 days to appeal as a matter of right.” He said personally he did not agree with the findings of the three judges.

Jilani said the possibility of an amicable solution still exists, provided there was a proposal to this effect. “This proposal would be tabled before the All India Muslim Personal Law Board for consideration but we won’t accept any proposal to surrender the land.”

“The judgment pronounced in the case relating to Babri Masjid is not only partly disappointing, but also against the settled principles of law and evidence adduced by the Muslim side,” Jilani said, adding, “However, much cannot be said at this stage as we are yet to study the judgement in details.”

“Still, we are of the firm view that no public resentment is required as the matter can be taken to the SC and there is no loss of hope,” he added.