Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Nov 10: The chief of the Islamic statutory body on Saturday declared that it will not be fighting the SC verdict on the Ayodhya case contradicting Waqf Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani's statement.
"We welcome the Supreme Court verdict in the case. The board has no plans to challenge it," Waqf Board chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui said. "The verdict is being studied thoroughly as of now, after which the board will issue a detailed statement."
The Waqf Board was one of the main litigants in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.
On Saturday, the verdict for one of the longest cases in Indian history was delivered by a five-member constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. The verdict was ruled in the favour of Ram Lalla. Meanwhile, the top court also acknowledged the illegal demolition of Babri mosque by Hindu activists in 1992 and allotted five acres of 'suitable' land for the construction of the mosque.
Jilani reacted to the verdict by calling it unjust. "Giving all land to the other side is unjustified. We respect the top court, but we have the right to disagree with the verdict. The top court has changed its judgments in many cases. We have a right to seek review," he said.
Farooqui, however, downplayed his claim. "If any lawyer or any other person said that the decision will be challenged by the board, it should not be taken as correct," he said.
"Mr Jilani has clarified that he reacted as the secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and not as the Waqf Board counsel," Farooqui added.