Ayodhya verdict: Muslim Personal Law Board to appeal in Supreme Court

Mtoday news

Lucknow, Oct 16:  The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Saturday unanimously decided to challenge the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title suits in the Supreme Court.

"During a meeting of the working committee, it was decided that the AIMPLB will move the Supreme Court directly or through the Sunni Central Waqf Board," Board sources said here.
       
The 51-member committee discussed in detail the High Court verdict. The Muslim Law Board members had earlier made it clear that the High Court verdict was not acceptable to it as it was based on faith and not on evidence.

Muslims question Ayodhya judgement

Judgement not based on hard facts - upholds the faith of one community over the other
Judgement ignores evidences 
Judgement violates basic values of the Constitution - as it sacrifices the principles of secularism

"During the meeting it was observed that the HC judgement suffers from a number of infirmities and it was the obligation of the Muslims to challenge it in the apex court," sources said.

The Board, however, says that their doors continue to remian open for peaceful negotiations.

"If somebody has a proposal which is consistent with the our dignity, upholds the values of the Constitution and the sharia, then the Board will consider it," said Yusuf Hatim Machalla, Convenor, Legal Committee, AIMPLB.

"This issue can only be sorted out when claim of Muslims is upheld. We cannot surrender our claim," the Board’s Counsel Zafaryab Jilani had said.

"I feel there is a substantial groundswell of opinion in the country which would like the matter to be resolved in a spirit of reconciliation, amity and brotherhood. I think we need to await the final verdict of that substantial population of the country including the minority community which are very keen for a proper amicable settlement," said Ravishankar Prasad, spokesperson, BJP.

That the Ayodhya verdict will go to the Supreme Court is now certain but answers to two questions still remain - it’s unclear whether the Personal Law Board will become a party in the case and when the appeal will be filed in court - details of which will emerge by the end of this month.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on September 30 directed that the 2.77-acre disputed land be divided in three parts among the Hindus and the Muslims. Of this, two parts go to Hindu organisations while the remaining to the Muslims.

PTI