Ayodhya Verdict | November 9 Message Is All About Living Together To Move Forward: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation after the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute, on Saturday described November 9 as a day to forget any bitterness one may have. He also said there is no place for fear, bitterness and negativity in new India.

“Today, with the decision on Ayodhya, this date of November 9 has also given us a lesson to move forward together. Today's message is to add and to join and to live together,” Modi said.

Modi said India's credo of unity in diversity was visible in its totality after the Supreme Court verdict as all sections of the societyaccepted it with an open heart. He also urged people to shun bitterness and negativity for the sake of a new India.Modi said the way each section of the society welcomed the verdict reflects India's ancient traditions of amity and harmony.

He said India's credo of unity in diversity is today visible in its totality.He also expressed happiness that the five-judge bench of the top court was unanimous in its order.

Settling a fractious issue that goes back more than a century, the Supreme Court in a historic verdict on Saturday backed the construction of a Ram temple by a trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the Hindu holy town.

The fall of the Berlin wall brought two contrasting ideologies together while both India and Pakistan played a role in the development of the corridor, he noted.

Referring to the dispute, the prime minister said the judgement has heralded a "new dawn" for the people.

"The dispute may have affected several generations, but after the judgment we have to take a pledge that the new generation will work for the creation of a new India with a fresh spirit," he said.

It is globally acknowledged that India is the world's largest democracy.

"Today, the world has also realised how vibrant and strong our democracy is. After today's verdict the manner in which every section of society, every community, every religion, the entire nation across the verdict with open arms. This is a manifestation of India's ages old ethos, culture, traditions as well as our inherent spirit of brotherhood," the prime minister said.

He said peace, unity and amity are essential for development of India and described November 9 as a day to forget any bitterness one may have.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister took to Twitter to assert that the judgement should not be seen as win or loss for anybody, and appealed to countrymen to maintain peace and harmony.

In a series of tweets in Hindi and English, Modi also asserted that the judgment clearly illustrates that everybody is equal before the law.

"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. Noting that the temple of justice (the apex court) has amicably concluded a matter going on for decades, he said the SC verdict will further strengthen people's faith in the judicial system.

"The calm and peace maintained by 130 crore Indians in the run-up to today's verdict manifests India's inherent commitment to peaceful coexistence. May this very spirit of unity and togetherness power the development trajectory of our nation. May every Indian be empowered," he said.

Every side, every point of view was given adequate time and opportunity to express differing points of view, he said.

"The judgement is notable as it highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law. It (the verdict) reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of our judiciary. May peace and harmony prevail," he tweeted.

Modi on Friday had also appealed to the people that the priority should be to strengthen India's tradition of maintaining peace and harmony after the verdict is pronounced on Saturday.

"The Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya would not be a matter of victory or loss. My appeal to countrymen is that it should be our priority that the verdict should strengthen India's great tradition of peace, unity and amity," he had tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)