Days After Landmark Ayodhya Verdict, Sunni Waqf Board Says Won’t File Review Petition

The Sunni Waqf Board, an original litigant in the Ayodhya dispute from Muslim side, has decided to file a review petition in the case.  “The Board has considered the judgement of the Supreme Court passed in the Babri Masjid case. The Board has reiterated its stand that it will not file any review petition in the Supreme Court,” Farooqi said in a press release issued after a meeting of the board attended by seven of its eight members.

Six members present at the meeting were of the view that the review petition should not be filed, he said, adding, “advocate Abdur Razaaq Khan has put in his dissent as he was in favour of filing review petition.”

The Sunni board was a main litigant in the Ayodhya case.

The meeting also considered whether to accept the five-acre alternative land given by the apex court for building a mosque in Ayodhya, Farooqi said, adding that the members felt they needed more time to decide on the matter so as to ensure that it was appropriate as per the Shariat.

“All further action in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court, including the issue of five-acre land in Ayodhya, are still in consideration of the board and no decision has yet been taken. The members of the board have asked for more time to formulate their views. As and when any decision is taken, it will be communicated separately,” the release said.

Earlier, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said that it will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. The decision was taken by the working committee of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. "Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has passed a resolution that it will not file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict on Babri Masjid & mosques managed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Waqf properties,” reported ANI.

Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani said in a statement in Delhi that the apex court accepted most of the arguments and evidence of the Muslim parties, but delivered the judgment against them in favour of the Hindu parties. It is not a prestige issue. This is a matter of Sharia. We can neither give the mosque, nor take anything in lieu of it," Madani had said.

On Monday, about 100 prominent Muslim citizens from across the country, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, on opposed filing review petition. Members of the Muslim community who signed the statement include Islamic scholars, social activists, lawyers, journalists, businessmen, poets, actors, filmmakers, theatre personalities, musicians and students among others, a statement issued by the group said.

"We share the unhappiness of the Indian Muslim community, constitutional experts and secular organisations over the fact that the highest court in the land has placed faith above law in arriving at its decision," the statement said. "But while agreeing that the court order is judicially flawed, we strongly believe that keeping the Ayodhya dispute alive will harm, and not help, Indian Muslims," it said.