Rajnikanth: Whatever be the SC's verdict on Ayodhya, maintain peace

Speaking to media after unveiling a statue of late film director K. Balachandar at the new office premises of Raaj Kamal Films International in Chennai, along with actor-turn-politician Kamal Hassan, Superstar Rajnikanth said that all should respect the Supreme Court's verdict. He also clarified that  BJP has not invited him to join the party. However, he insisted that efforts were being made to paint him with "saffron".

When asked about his view and expectations from the upcoming Ayodhya land dispute verdict, he said: "Whatever be the decision, I request the people to maintain peace."

He added: "In-person they (BJP), didn't invite me to join, they are trying to give me the BJP colour, like how they did with Thiruvallur. They are trying to saffronise me. Neither me nor Thiruvallur will not fall for it," he said. When asked about senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan's recent meeting with him and the former's repeated assertions that the actor should join the party, Rajinikanth said no such has invitation has been made to him. "No offer has been made (from BJP to join the party).. definitely not," he said.

Security beefed up before verdict

Various security measures are being taken ahead of the crucial Ayodhya verdict. In Ayodhya, the District Magistrate prohibited messages regarding the case on social media and posters that could disturb communal harmony. Earlier, various Muslim groups also urged everyone to maintain peace after the verdict. On Tuesday, RSS leaders and Muslim clerics met at the residence of Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and urged all to respect SC's verdict. Additionally, the railway police on Thursday issued a seven-page advisory to all its zones giving them a slew of instructions on security preparedness.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: DM prohibits messages & posters about land dispute

Supreme Court reserves verdict

The Supreme Court on October 16, reserved the verdict Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case. The bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising of SC judges Justices S.A. Bopde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, S. Abdul Nazeer reserved the verdict. The court reserved the verdict after marathon day-to-day hearing in the case.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Spiritual leader urges to maintain restraint

Mediation panel formed to solve dispute

The apex court had earlier this year formed a mediation panel to solve the age-old dispute. The panel consisted of Justice FMI Kalifulla, Senior advocate Sriram Panchu, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The panel was made for 8-week and Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad was set as the location where the mediation would be held. The eight-week deadline for the mediation talks were completed on May 3. However, the deadline was extended and the apex court on July 18 asked the mediation committee to continue the process and submit a report on the progress till July 31.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Muslim groups say SC's decision should be respected

Mediation panel failed, day-to-day hearing began

On August 2, CJI Ranjan Gogoi declared that the Ayodhya mediation panel failed to come to a settlement. He declared that day-to-day hearings would start from August 6. Even after repeated appeals from both parties against day-to-day hearing, the apex court continued the process. 

READ: Jamia teachers association urges everyone to respect Ayodhya verdict