Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the Supreme Court ruling in the Ayodhya case should not be seen as win or loss for anyone as the verdict evoked mixed reactions with the BJP, its allies as well as the Congress hailing the ruling and the Muslim side led by the Sunni Waqf Board stated that it may file a review petition as it was "not satisfied".
Reactions poured in from all quarters on the unanimous decision of the top court that paved the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and also directed the Centre to allot an alternative 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a new mosque at a "prominent" place in the holy town in Uttar Pradesh.
"Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti (devotion to Ram or Rahim), it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of rashtra bhakti (devotion to the country)," he said, adding "the verdict shouldn't be seen as a win or loss for anybody." Modi said, and appealed to countrymen for peace, unity and amity.
Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the judgement saying the order will prove to be a milestone and further strengthen India's unity and integrity.
In a series of tweets, Shah appealed to all communities and religions to accept the decision of the apex court with ease and remain committed to 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' (one India, great India).
Asserting that the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue highlighted "truth and justice", RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also echoed the Prime Minister's view that it should not be seen as anybody's victory or defeat.
Welcoming the ruling, Bhagwat said everybody should now forget the dispute, which had continued for many decades, and work together to build a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
Several Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh, Prakash Javadekar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also hailed the verdict.
"The Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court on Ayodhya is historic. The Judgement will further strengthen India's social fabric. I urge everyone to take the verdict with equanimity and magnanimity. I also appeal to the people to maintain peace & harmony after this landmark verdict," Rajnath tweeted.
The Congress said it respects the Supreme Court verdict is in favour of Ram temple construction.
In a resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee chaired by party chief Sonia Gandhi, the party also appealed to all parties concerned and all communities to "abide by the secular values and spirit of fraternity enshrined in the Constitution and to maintain peace and harmony".
However, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board's Zafaryab Jilani, outside the court, expressed dissatisfaction over the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict, saying it has a lot of contradictions and they will seek a review of it.
Later at a press conference, he said the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's working committee in consultation with all lawyers will deliberate on the future legal recourse. He also said that it seems that a review petition may be filed.
In a gaurded reaction, Left parties said that the verdict clearing the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, should not be seen as a victory for any litigant.
The CPI(M) in a statement said that while the judgment has provided a judicial resolution to this fractious issue there are certain premises of the judgment which are "questionable."
The CPI in a statement said that the apex court has delivered a "reconciliatory judgment".
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi in a press conference in Hyderabad said the Supreme court verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi land dispute was a "victory of belief over facts."
The Hyderabad MP also said he was not satisified with the ruling and quoted a former Chief Justice of India to say the top court is "indeed supreme but not infallible."
National Commission for Minorities chairperson Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi claimed that Muslims are happy with the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict and condemned Jilani's remarks.
Expressing satisfaction over the judgment, Iqbal Ansari, one of the litigants, said he will not challenge it.
The key players of the Ram Janambhoomi movement such as Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and K N Govindacharya also reacted to the verdict.
Bharti, who met Advani here, hailed the party veteran's role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement as she welcomed the court's order.
A key figure herself in the temple movement, Bharti said Advani's devotion to temple cause is at the root of the BJP's success and its coming back to power for another term.
Former RSS ideologue Govindacharya credited late VHP stalwart Ashok Singhal and Advani for the success of the cause.
"I welcome the verdict. But the trust that will look after the construction of the Ram Temple will have to be considerate about keeping intact unity among people," Joshi told reporters here.
Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia also hailed the verdict as a "tribute" to "lakhs of Hindus" who had sacrificed their lives for a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar welcomed the verdict, saying it has brought "joy and relief" to members of Hindu and Muslim communities.
Ravi Shankar was part of the mediation panel earlier appointed by the apex court for amicable resolution of the dispute.
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