LK Advani hails SC's Ayodhya verdict as a 'moment of fulfilment'

The Supreme Court of India on November 9 pronounced the historic judgement of Ayodhya land dispute case handing over the disputed land to Hindus for building temple and giving Muslims 5-acres suitable land to build the mosque. BJP veteran LK Advani welcomed the SC's decision and said that it is a moment of "fulfilment for him". He said that after SC's verdict he stands vindicated and is feeling deeply blessed. Calling it the biggest mass Movement after India's freedom movement, he said that he thanks the Almighty because he was part of the movement. 

Reiterating his stance, he said: "Ram and Ramayana occupies an esteemed place in India's cultural and civilizational heritage and Ramjanmabhoomi holds a special and sacred place in hearts of crores of our countrymen in India and abroad." He has also welcomed Apex court's decision to give 5 acres land to Muslims to build a mosque in Ayodhya. He then gave a message of nationalism saying: "In course of Ramjanmabhoomi movement, I have often stated that true purpose of constructing a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya is to construct Rashtra Mandir - building India as strong, prosperous, and peaceful nation with justice for all and exclusive for none. Let us rededicate ourselves to that noble mission today."

Here's his full statement:

Statement by Shri LK Advani on Ayodhya Verdict

9 November 2019

I join all my countrymen in wholeheartedly welcoming the historic judgement delivered by the five-member Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court today in the Ayodhya matter.

I stand vindicated, and feel deeply blessed, that the Supreme Court has given its unanimous verdict paving the way for the construction of a magnificent temple for Lord Ram at Ramjanmabhhomi in Ayodhya.

This is a moment of fulfilment for me because God Almighty had given me an opportunity to make my own humble contribution to the mass movement, the biggest since India’s Freedom Movement, aimed at the outcome which the Supreme Court’s verdict today has made possible.

I have always stressed that Ram and Ramayana occupy an esteemed place in India’s cultural and civilizational heritage and Ramjanmabhoomi holds a special and sacred place in the hearts of crores of our countrymen in India and abroad. Therefore, it is gratifying that their belief and sentiments have been respected.

I also welcome the apex court’s decision that five acres of land be given at a prominent place for the building of a mosque in Ayodhya.

Today’s judgement is the culmination of a long and contentious process that played itself out in various forums – both judicial and non-judicial – in the past many decades. Now that the prolonged Mandir-Masjid dispute in Ayodhya has come to an end, the time has come to leave all contention and acrimony behind and embrace communal concord and peace. Towards this end, I appeal to all sections of our diverse society to work together to strengthen India’s national unity and integrity.

In the course of the Ramjanmabhoomi Movement, I had often stated that the true purpose of constructing a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya is to construct a magnificent Rashtra Mandir – building India as a strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious nation with justice for all and exclusion of none. Let us rededicate ourselves to that noble mission today.

Ayodhya Verdict: Temple at disputed land; Muslims to get 5 acres land

The Ayodhya Verdict

SC decided to hand over the disputed land in Ayodhya to Hindus and to give 5 acres of alternate land to Muslims for building the mosque. The apex court also observed that Nirmohi Akhara's suit was not maintainable as they do not have shebait rights. CJI Ranjan Gogoi, while delivering the unanimous judgement, also dismissed the claims of the Sunni Central Waqf board stating that the party altered its stance after being confronted with the Archeological Survey of India (ASI)'s findings.

Ayodhya case verdict: The questions Supreme Court may consider

Ayodhya case in SC

The five-judge bench was constituted on January 25, 2019, to hear the long-contested Ayodhya dispute. As the case progressed after the Centre handed over disputed Ayodhya site to original owners, the bench created a mediation panel. On August 2, a day after the mediation panel submitted the report of mediation to the SC in a sealed cover, the SC stated that the mediation had failed and began day-to-day hearings - which ran for 40 days, along with a parallel mediation process continuing. The SC announced that it would wrap up the hearing on October 17 and announce its judgment by November 17. Finally, on October 16, the Supreme Court concluded its hearing, reserved its order and the mediation panel submitting its settlement report.

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