Ayodhya dispute
Lucknow: The AIMPLB on Saturday strongly hoped that the Supreme Court verdict on the title suit over the 2.77-acre disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land will be in favour of Muslims, saying the judgment “will be in consonance with the rule of law and the basic values of the Constitution”.
Following a meeting of its executive committee, the Board also decided to challenge the Constitutional validity of the anti-triple talaq law and warned of any “legislative or judicial” move to impose a Uniform Civil Code, terming the “very concept” of the UCC as a “threat” to the unity in diversity spirit of the country.
“The litigation of Babri Masjid is (being) watched not only by our nation, but also internationally. It is a test case for the basic values of the secularism enshrined in our Constitution,” said All India Muslim Personal Law Board in a statement after the meeting, chaired by its chief Rabey Hasan Nadvi.
“It is needless to say that the ultimate judgement of the apex court will be in consonance with the rule of law and the basic values of the Constitution,” the statement added.
The AIMPLB’s strong observations came days ahead of the Supreme Court’s October 18 deadline to complete its hearing on the title suit over the vexed Ayodhya issue.
The Supreme Court on September 18 had set October 18 as deadline for the completion of arguments in the protracted land title suit.
The deadline for the wrapping up of arguments is significant as Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who is heading the five-judge Constitution bench hearing the case, is to demit office on November 17.
The AIMPLB meeting was attended by a number of senior office bearers of the Board including its vice president Fakhruddin Ashraf Kichhauchhvi, general secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani, board’s senior members Zafaryab Jilani and Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali and Jamait-e-Ulema Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madni.
The AIMPLB also expressed dissatisfaction over the mediation process undertaken earlier for an out-of-court settlement of the vexed issue, and ruled out any reconciliation over it.
“It was resolved to reiterate the basic stand of the Muslim community that the status of the land which is dedicated for the Masjid (mosque) cannot be altered, changed or transferred in any manner.
“The law of Shariat does not permit it. Therefore no Muslim can surrender or transfer such Wakf land. This submission of Muslims is based on historical facts and evidence that Babri Masjid was constructed without demolishing any Mandir (temple) or any other place of worship,” said the board in its statement. (PTI)