Mould relief in Ayodhya row that will reflect constitutional values: Muslim parties

The Supreme Court should mould a relief in the Ayodhya dispute, paying attention to the religious and cultural diversity of the country and keeping an eye on how future generations will view its verdict, the Muslim parties in the Ramjanmabhumi dispute have suggested to the court.

“The decision by this court, whichever way it goes, will impact future generations. It will also have consequences for the polity of this country. This court’s decision may impact the minds of millions who are citizens of this country and who believe in constitutional values embraced by all when India was declared a republic on January 26, 1950,” a statement filed by them in the court said.

Similarly, several Hindu parties have filed their statements on the “moulding of relief” in the case.

The Ayodhya case has been reserved for judgment. The Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had, on the day of reserving the judgment, allowed the parties to file suggestions the court may consider while moulding the relief in the case.

The Muslim side had filed their statement first in a sealed cover. However, this caused a furore among the Hindu side. Hence, they refiled it without the sealed cover.

Since the judgment would have “far-reaching implications”, the Muslim parties said, “it is for the court to consider the consequences of its historic judgment by moulding the relief in a fashion that will reflect the constitutional values that this great nation espouses".

The two-page statement drafted by senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan said, “We hope that the Court, in moulding the relief, upholds our multireligious and multicultural values in resolving the issues confronting it. Moulding the relief is the responsibility of this Court, which itself is the sentinel of our Constitution.”

The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, in a statement filed in the court, has suggested the setting up of a trust to determine “who will be entitled to and liable to raise construction over such land”.

The Akhil Bharatiya Sriram Janam Bhoomi Punruddhar Samiti, in its moulding-the-relief statement to the court, suggested a decree in favour of Ram Lalla after taking into consideration the mediation report.