As the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict in the crucial Ayodhya land dispute case on Saturday, political leaders from across the country reacted to the judgement as delivered by the top court. In its judgement, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the construction of a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya. The top court also directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.
In one of the most important and most anticipated judgements in India's history, the apex court said the mosque should be constructed at a "prominent site" and a trust should be formed within three months for the construction of the temple at the site many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born.
The site was occupied by the 16th-century Babri mosque which was destroyed by Hindu kar sevaks on December 6, 1992.
Here is how political leaders reacted to Ayodhya verdict:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Whether it is devotion to Ram or Rahim, now is time for everybody to strengthen devotion to India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah: I am confident that this landmark judgment given by the Supreme Court will prove to be a milestone in itself. This decision will further strengthen India's unity, integrity and great culture
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: It is a landmark judgement, appeal to public to maintain peace and calm
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: We welcome this decision of Supreme Court. This case was going on for decades and it has reached the right conclusion. This should not be seen as a win or loss. We also welcome everyone's efforts to maintain peace and harmony in society
Yog Guru Swami Ramdev: This is a historic verdict. A grand Ram temple will be built. The decision to allot alternate land to Muslim side is welcome, I believe Hindu brothers should help in the construction of the Masjid as well
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: Supreme Court's judgement should be welcomed by everyone, it will be beneficial for the social harmony. There should be no further dispute on this issue, that is my appeal to the people
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari: Everyone must accept the Supreme Court judgement and maintain peace
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: We welcome the SC judgement. The Supreme Court gave its verdict on decades-old dispute. The dispute of many years ended today. I appeal to all maintain peace and harmony
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala: Supreme Court's verdict has come, we are in favour of the construction of Ram Temple. This judgement not only opened the doors for the temple's construction but also closed the doors for BJP and others to politicise the issue
NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik: It has been our position right from the beginning that we will accept the supreme court verdict and all should accept it. Hope no new dispute crops up in the country in the name of religion
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath: The SC has delivered a verdict in Ayodhya case. I again appeal to you that we all should respect this decision of the Supreme Court. Don't be a part of any kind of show of enthusiasm, celebration and protest. Be cautious and on alert of rumors. Do not get mislead. The government is with every citizen of the state. Elements creating law and order situation will not be spared
Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia: I welcome the supreme court's Judgement on Ram Janmbhoomi. Building a Ram Temple at the same place where Lord Ram was born has been the demand of Hindus for more than 450 years. Lakhs of Hindus had sacrificed their lives, careers, families for it
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: This is a historic judgement by the Supreme Court and has brought joy and relief to people of both communities
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan: All should respond positively as the Supreme Court verdict is final. Nothing should happen which will cause any sort of issues. Even when the Babri Masjid demolition took place, Kerala by and large had reacted in a very mature way. Likewise today also it should be the same. The government is fully geared up and nothing should be done to destroy the peace, over the issue
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan: The SC verdict on Ayodhya should be respected and accepted by all
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot: I understand that today at least a decision has been taken...which we all should welcome. This is what I believe," Gehlot told reporters at his residence. He said this is a "very historic
BJP national vice president Shivraj Singh Chouhan: All should respect and welcome the supreme court verdict. Let us all respect and welcome the SC decision. Nobody has lost. Our country has always given the message of peace to the world. I appeal to the country and all the people to maintain unity, love, harmony and brotherhood
Former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan: The supreme court has given a balanced verdict in the Ayodhya case. Ramlalla (infant Ram) has got the legal right to the place of birth (in Ayodhya in the verdict). The court's decision should be accepted with restraint and peace, but it should be displayed calmly. One can celebrate this by lighting a lamp in house
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan: The Supreme Court has given a very clear and unanimous verdict. Sentiments of all parties have been respected in this unanimous judgment. It has put a closure to the dispute that has lingered for centuries
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath: We welcome the Supreme Court verdict. Everyone should support for unity and amity in the country. In UP, the government is committed to maintaining peace and security
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi: The Supreme Court of India has given its verdict on Ayodhya issue. All parties, communities and citizens should respect the decision and maintain our centuries-old culture of living in togetherness. We all have to together strengthen mutual harmony and brotherhood
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar: The judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court on Ayodhya is historic, balanced and judicious. I am sure that everyone will welcome it
Senior Congress leader Ramakant Khalap: Hindus can now build a temple at the disputed site under auspices of a Trust and Muslims can build a mosque in a five-acre plot nearby. This is a win-win situation for all. The historic judgement will hopefully usher in an era of peace, tranquillity and brotherhood. I appeal to the die-hards in both camps to bury the hatchet forever and work together to raise the temple and mosque as symbols of unity of Indians and springboards for a resurgent India
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi: We are not satisfied with the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya land dispute case. We have faith in the Constitution of India, but the verdict has not done justice to the Muslim community. We were fighting for our legal rights and so we should not accept this charity by the top court. We should reject the 5-acre land offer by the Supreme Court. The top court is supreme but not infallible
Sunni Waqf Board lawyer Zafaryab Jilani: A mosque is invaluable. What is five acres? Even 500 acres is unacceptable. The Sharia does not allow us to give the mosque to anyone, not even as a gift. After today's order, it looks like we will file a review petition. But a final decision will be taken only after consultation with our legal team. Today's observation by the Chief Justice of India will go a long way in the nation's welfare
Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla: I think all people should respect the judgement and the court has given the best judgement keeping in mind all faiths
BJP leader Uma Bharti: Met Advani and bowed my head at his feet following the verdict, also praised late Vishwa Hindu Parishad stalwart Ashok Singhal for spearheading the movement. Advani's devotion to temple cause is at the root of the BJP's success and it is coming back to power for another term. Advani changed the communal motives ascribed to the issue of nationalism and showed that it can change the country
Ajmer Sharif dargah dewan Syed Zainul Abedin: This is nobody's victory or defeat. We should accept the verdict of the Supreme Court. Whatever has happened, is in the interest of the nation and we should put an end to the dispute right here
DMK President MK Stalin: All sections should accept (the verdict) and I firmly believe it will be taken forward in a way upholding communal harmony, and without harming the country's plurality. Since the Constitutional bench of the apex court had delivered the verdict, it should be implemented without any bias
Rajinikanth: Members of all faiths should strive for the welfare of the country and its growth without any religious differences
VHP's Alok Kumar: Today is a day of happiness for Hindus world over. We expect Govt of India to take speedy steps on the directions issued by the Supreme court
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar: I am happy that the honourable Supreme Court has decided an issue that was engaging the attention of the whole country. The judgement should not be looked as victory or defeat for anyone. It should be wholeheartedly accepted and worked upon. I would appeal to all sections of the society that after an indulgent hearing for several decades, the issue has come to be determined by the highest court of the largest democracy of the earth. And that judgment should be accepted by all
Shia Cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad: We humbly accept SC verdict, I am thankful to God that Muslims, by and large, have accepted this verdict and the dispute has ended now. Though it's their(Muslim Personal law board) right to file review petition I think the matter should just end now.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Santosh Hege: I think the court has found a via media which should satisfy everybody. I don't think any other judgment would have been better.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant: "We should all accept the unanimous SC decision on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi and collectively work towards strengthening brotherhood amongst the communities."
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray: Today's day will be written in golden letters in the history of India. Everyone has accepted the verdict. I will be going to Ayodhya on 24 November.
Ram Lalla Deity Lawyer CS Vaidyanathan: It is a great day for India. SC has pronounced verdict which has balanced the interest of all parties and also tried to ensure that unity and integrity of the nation are preserved and brotherhood is maintained. It is victory of rule of law.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal: We welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue. I sincerely appeal to all the people living in the plains, hills, Brahmaputra and Barak valleys of the state to maintain peace and harmony, upholding the tradition of brotherhood among all communities.
Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari: We have always maintained that we will accept the verdict of Supreme Court. I hope the country will move towards development. As far as filing a review petition is concerned, I don't agree with it.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav: "Jo faisley faslon ko ghatatey hain, woh insaan ko behtar insaan banate hain (The decisions which bridges the gap, makes people a better human being)"
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