Can’t Think Of Doing This Stupidity: Jamiat Ulama Hind Says Rajeev Dhavan Not Sacked From Ayodhya Case

Jamiat Ulama Hind on Tuesday came out with a clarification that senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan has not been sacked from representing the group in the Supreme Court in the Babri Masjid case. In a statement put out on behalf of the group, Jamiat legal adviser Shahid Nadeem hailed Dhawan for his services and said that they can’t think of doing this "stupidity".

"Neither Jamiat nor advocate on record Ejaz Maqbool sacked senior advocate Dr Rajeev Dhawan… We can’t think of doing this stupidity. We are indebted of Dr Dhawan’s services for Babri Masjid case which is cause for him and us," Nadeem said.

He also said that the president of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Arshad Madani will personally meet Dhawan and sort out the misunderstanding. "Dr Dhawan always appeared for Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind in Babri Masjid case and we believe he will continue because this cause is bigger than anything," the legal adviser to Jamiat said.

A day after the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict, senior counsel Rajeev Dhawan took to Facebook about his sacking.

"Just been sacked from the Babri case by AOR (Advocate on record) Ejaz Maqbool who was representing the Jamiat. Have sent formal letter accepting the 'sacking' without demur. No longer involved in the review or the case," Dhavan said in a short Facebook post.

Dhavan alleged that Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani was spreading rumours about his health. "I have been informed that Mr Madani has indicated that I was removed from the case because I was unwell. This is total nonsense. He has a right to instruct his lawyer AOR Ejaz Maqbool to sack me which he did on instructions. But the reason being floated is malicious and untrue."

In its verdict in the Ayodhya title suit, the Supreme Court on November 9 had said the entire 2.77 acres of disputed land should be handed over to the deity Ram Lalla, who was one of the three litigants. The five-judge Constitution bench also directed the Centre to allot a five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board in Ayodhya to build a mosque.

However, the Jamiat and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced to file a review petition in the case. While Jamiat filed its petition on December 2, the AIMPLB has said a review petition will be filed before December 9.