Mumbai: Caretaker chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had planned to perform a pooja at famous Ram Mandir at Wadala, but soon realised that it would lead to violation of the police order invoking prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, too, announced that he would be visiting Ayodhya soon. These were the indications that even after the Supreme Court verdict, the Ram Mandir is going remain the major political plank for the Hindutva parties.
Soon after the apex court verdict, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut sent out a cryptic message. In a tweet, Mr Raut said, “Pehle Mandir Phir Sarkar!! Ayodhya mein Mandir Maharashtra mein Sarkar... Jai ShriRam.”
Speaking to reporters at the BJP headquarter in Mumbai, Mr Fadnavis said, “The decision of the apex court’s strengt-hens the pride of India. This (decision) is not victory or defe-at for any community.” “The verdict delivered today is historic because it was unanimous. It shows respect to the sentiment of the public,” he added.
Workers of the RSS and the BJP on Saturday performed an 'aarti' at a temple adjacent to the RSS headquarter in Mahal area of Nagpur in Maharashtra, hours after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the land dispute.
Local leaders of the BJP also participated in the ‘aarti’, which was kept low key. At least 50 activists of the Sangh and the BJP participated in the ritual. They shouted slogans like ‘Jai Shree Ram’ and distributed sweets. They were soon asked to leave the temple by the police.
“We all are happy. The Supreme Court has given a very good decision in the interest of both the communities. I think it is a historic decision and we welcome it,” said Maharashtra BJP spokesperson MLC Girish Vyas.
While the saffron parties would try to take political advantage from the order, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the verdict would not have any bearing on Maharashtra politics and added that people may even forget the issue within two to three days. “This may not be an important subject for the public at large,” he said.
NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said it had been the position of the party to accept the apex court verdict. “It has been our position right from the beginning that we will accept the SC verdict and all should accept it. Hope no new dispute crops up in the country in the name of religion, (sic)” Mr Malik tweeted.
“People had been saying even before the judgement was given that they would accept whatever is the verdict. But people should not claim credit for this, should not celebrate with enthusiasm, should not hurt sentiments of anyone. People should accept such a position. We hope no new dispute is created by any organisation or political party in the future in the name of religion. It is a historic verdict and our position is clear right from the beginning, (sic)” Mr Malik added.
Meanwhile, Muslim leaders and scholars Saturday accepted the Supreme Court verdict, which cleared the decks for construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site and directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot for the construction of a Masjid.
Maulana Sayed Athar Ali, a prominent religious leader, said, “We had been holding meetings with leaders prior to the Supreme Court verdict and had decided to accept whatever the verdict. It is appreciable that there is peace and harmony between the communities and we appeal citizens to maintain the same.”
He added that he was neither happy nor sad with the SC ruling but respected the apex court’s order.
