After Ayodhya verdict, politicians call for peace and harmony
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Saturday put an end to a decades-old case that had been defining socio-political fabric in India.
The CJI Ranjan Gogoi-led five-judge constitutional bench allowed the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and said five acres of land should be given to Muslims for a mosque.
After the judgment, politicians across the spectrum called for peace.
Order
First, let's tell you what happened in Supreme Court
The bench unanimously ordered in favor of the temple, while noting that the Muslim side failed to prove ownership of the land.
CJI Gogoi said the court's job is to respect all faiths, and noted that Hindus' belief that Lord Ram took human form beneath the dome is "undisputed".
The Centre was directed to form a trust within three months to facilitate temple's construction.
Reactions
Subsequently, 'maintain peace' emerged as the prime message
Soon after the judgment, Congress said it welcomed it.
Meanwhile, in a tweet, BSP supremo Mayawati, who headed Uttar Pradesh when Allahabad High Court gave its judgment in 2010, urged people to respect the verdict.
And Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted, " No rumors or objectionable comments should be made on social media or other platforms that could adversely affect social harmony."
Tweets
Notably, PM Modi spoke about Rashtra Bhakti
Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Punjab earlier in the day for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor, in a series of tweets said the verdict will reaffirm people's faith in the judiciary.
"Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail," he tweeted a short while ago.
Twitter Post
This decision will unite India: Home Minister Amit Shah
मुझे पूर्ण विश्वास है कि सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा दिया गया यह ऐतिहासिक निर्णय अपने आप में एक मील का पत्थर साबित होगा। यह निर्णय भारत की एकता, अखंडता और महान संस्कृति को और बल प्रदान करेगा।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 9, 2019
Bhagwat's words
Separately, RSS boss said it's better late than never
A short while ago, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat welcomed the decision to construct a temple.
"Earlier attempts to mediate were not successful, attempts were made, but they didn't work out for whatever reasons. Better late than never," he said.
He added, "Whatever the court has said will be examined. The land has to be given by the government. We want the acrimony to end."
Details
RSS won't be a part of any agitation, stated Bhagwat
Talking about his organization's future plans, he clarified, "RSS will not be involved in any political movement after this. RSS will only focus on character building from now on and not be involved in any future agitation."
Interestingly, after the judgment, BJP leader Uma Bharti visited veteran LK Advani.
She reminded that he started the movement decades ago, which paved path for the temple.
Statement
Separately, miffed with SC, Owaisi warned against patronizing Muslims
While most politicians called for calm, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said Muslims shouldn't be "patronized".
"We have full faith in the Constitution, we were fighting for our right, we don't need 5-acre land as a donation. We should reject this 5-acre land offer," he added.
He also blamed Congress' PMs Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao for their "role" in the dispute.
Twitter Post
"Had it not been for Congress, masjid would have existed"
A Owaisi: Congress has shown their true colours,but for Congress party's deceitnesshypocrisy,idols would not have been placed in 1949, had the locks not opened by Rajiv Gandhi the masjid would still be there,had Narasimha Rao discharged his duties the masjid would still be there https://t.co/pOg4RJgaGo pic.twitter.com/FSpOkcwjHl
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2019