The Congress today said it welcomed the efforts for an amicable and peaceful settlement to the Ayodhya dispute, while awaiting a Supreme Court decision, as and when appeals are filed.
The Congress convened its Steering Committee meeting (the erstwhile Congress Working Committee) to decide its stand on the Ayodhya verdict. It decided not to take a pro-active role in the settlement of the issue.
However, the party will not entertain efforts to communalise the verdict that could disturb the law and order situation.
Soon after the verdict, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had appealed to maintain peace and highlighted that the verdict set status quo for three months and there was scope for further appeal in the Supreme Court.
Today, the Congress said, “It was important to underline that the verdict in no way condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 and any distortion of the verdict would be harmful to the nation”.
Sources said, SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani’s stand on the issue was criticised at the meet. While Advani had said the “faith” of the Hindus had been vindicated, the SP chief said “Muslims felt cheated”. Several members said the statements were “provocative” in nature.
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While the Congress was open to an out-of-court settlement, the CPI(M) feels there was no scope of a settlement but to accept the Supreme Court verdict.
“What is an out-of-court settlement? Some people are saying let Muslims help us build the temple, completely ignoring the fact that one-third land has been given to the Muslims to build a mosque,” said CPI(M) general secretay Prakash Karat after the party’s two day-long politburo meeting here.
The CPI(M) has expressed its unhappiness over the HC verdict:“It will set a dangerous precedent for the future.”