AIMPLB rejects SC's land for mosque offer in Ayodhya, says 'restitution won't heal wounds'

Rejecting the Supreme Court's offer of alternate land of 5 acres to build a mosque, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), on Sunday has stated that the offer will not heal the wounds caused to the community, in a press conference in Lucknow. The board added that by rejecting the offer, they were not in contempt of the apex court's order. The board also stated that building the mosque in an alternate location was not permissible according to Islamic Law.

'Rejects alternate land': AIMPLB

Furthermore, the board issued a press release stating that while the alternate land was allotted to the Sunni Central Waqf Board, it was rejecting the offer on behalf of the entire community at large. Requesting the Sunni Waqf Board, which has accepted the verdict, to respect the view of the community, the board has stated that the SC verdict was unfair. The board also stated that the system should recognise the equal rights of the Muslim community - especially unauthorized occupation of Wakf properties by others including govt instrumentalities.

WATCH | VHP states 'AIMPLB can exhaust legal options', board to file for review on Ayodhya verdict

Here is the press release:

READ | Ayodhya Verdict: Muslim bodies to file review petition, will reject 5-acre land

AIMPLB to file review petition

The AIMPLB which had called upon on an emergency meeting announced that they will file a review petition against the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute. They added that the board also rejects the 5-acre land offered by the apex court to build a mosque. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUEH) head Maulana Arshad Madani, too confirmed the same, adding that he is confident that the petition will be rejected. Meanwhile, the Nirmohi Akhara has stated that they will not file a review petition on the SC's verdict.

READ | Sunni Central Waqf board accepts SC Ayodhya verdict; won't seek review

AIMPLB and Owaisi dissatisfied

After the SC's verdict on November 9, AIMPLB had said that the body respects the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya title case but will think over filing a review after going through the entire judgment. Similarly, Owaisi had quoted Justice Verma to express his dissatisfaction, saying that the 'Supreme Court was Supreme but not infallible'. On the other hand, the Sunni Waqf Board had hailed the verdict adding that they will not file for a review.

READ | AIMPLB meets to decide on review petition challenging SC's Ayodhya verdict

Ayodhya verdict

Pronouncing the landmark judgment in the Ayodhya dispute case, the Supreme Court on November 9, delivered a unanimous judgment in the title suit of the disputed area awarding it to the Hindu parties for the construction of a temple. It also directed the Centre to come up with a scheme within three months to set up a trust which will hand over the outer courtyard and inner courtyard of the site for construction of a temple. Apart from this, the SC stated that an alternate land of 5 acres is to be allotted to Muslims for the liberty of constructing a mosque, either by the central govt or the State govt, in a suitable and prominent place in Ayodhya.