“Let’s bury this 60-year-old dispute here and make a fresh start.” This was how Mohd. Hashim Ansari (90), one of the main litigants in the Ayodhya title suits, responded to the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
And the sentiments voiced by the oldest litigant in the case were shared with same vigour by elderly leaders of two key parties to the title suit —Mahant Bhaskar Das (84) of Nirmohi Akhara and Mahant Nitya Gopal Das (70), Chairman of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.
Though satisfied with the verdict, all the three aged litigants in the title suit agree that the matter will ultimately reach the Supreme Court.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The decision is good for the common man and has saved him from the unnecessary
Mahant Bhaskar Das, sitting calmly on the cot with a handful of supporters, said he heaved a sigh of relief as Ram lalla was still the viraajman at his place and his position was not disturbed.
“I wanted everyone to respect the decision but as Sunni Wakf Board and Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasbha have decided to move the SC, we may have to follow suit,” the Mahant said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Ansari, who lives in a small house within a five kilometre radius of Ram Lalla site in Ayodhya, also wants an end to legal battle.
“Personally I am of the view that this 60-year-old dispute should be buried here and a new start should be made,” Mr. Ansari said.
He blamed the political parties for politicising an important issue.
“This issue cannot be sorted out as long as politics is involved,” he said.
Though Mr. Ansari favours that there should be an end to the dispute he said the issue will reach the apex court as the court has mentioned about division of the land
“The suits should have been decided in favour of the either parties. As division of the land has been mentioned in the judgement there is no other option than to move the SC,” he said.
Mahant Gopal Das said he was satisfied with the Court’s decision and it should be accepted by all.
“The final decision could be reached by compromise after talks”, said Gopal Das, who lives in Srimani Ramdas Chhavni, where security personnel were seen relaxing on chairs with no palpable tension in the air.
However, like Mr. Ansari and Mahant Bhaskar Das, he too may move the apex court.
“We welcome the verdict, but will challenge the decision to give one third land to the Sunni Waqf Board in the apex court,” Mahant Gopal Das said.