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Ayodhya Verdict Live: Supreme Court’s Judgement Not Victory Or Defeat For Anyone, Says Narendra Modi

BJP ministers from Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari to Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the verdict and asked the people of the country to maintain peace.
A man walks past security personnel on a road in Ayodhya on November 9, 2019, ahead of a Supreme Court verdict on the disputed religious site.
SANJAY KANOJIA via Getty Images
A man walks past security personnel on a road in Ayodhya on November 9, 2019, ahead of a Supreme Court verdict on the disputed religious site.

The Supreme Court announced the Ayodhya verdict on Saturday, saying the disputed land will be given to the Hindus. And that Muslims must be given alternate land. The court ordered that the Central or the state government would have to give a land of upto 5 acres to the Sunni WaThis was after a marathon hearings for 40 days on the sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid title case, the court had reserved it’s order on October 16. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is heading a 5 judge Constitution bench that will announce the verdict. As the country holds its breath for the historic verdict, political leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have appealed for peace, matter what the verdict is.

Here are live updates:

1:33 pm: Asaduddin Owaisi Reacts To Ayodhya Verdict With Single Photo

Meanwhile AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted to the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict with a single photo on Twitter. Owaisi posted the book cover of Supreme But Not Infallible: Essays in Honour of the Supreme Court of India.

Find out what he tweeted here.

1:25 pm: Case That Has Gone On For Decades Has Reached Right Conclusion, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat On Ayodhya Verdict

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya, saying the case that has gone on for decades has reached the right conclusion. Bhagwat also lauded people’s efforts to maintain peace and harmony.

1:00 pm: Supreme Court’s Ayodhya Verdict Not Victory Or Defeat For Anyone, Says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court of India saying, this should not be seen as a victory or defeat for anyone.

“The Supreme Court of the country has pronounced its verdict on Ayodhya. This decision should not be seen as a victory or defeat of anyone. Be it Ramabhakti or Rahimabhakti, this is the time for all of us to strengthen the spirit of Bhakti. My appeal to the countrymen is to maintain peace, harmony and unity,” he said.

He highlighted the need for judicial procedure and said this will reaffirm people’s faith in judicial process. Modi said, “This decision will further strengthen the confidence of the common man in judicial processes. In accordance with the spirit of brotherhood, we have to show peace and restraint for 130 crore Indians”

12:52 pm: Supreme Court Verdict Will Close Doors On Politicisation Of Ayodhya Issue By BJP And Others, Says Congress

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala welcomed the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict and said that this verdict would close doors on all sorts of politics being played in the name of the Ram Mandir.

“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,” Surjewala said.

12:50 pm: You Take 67 Acres Of Land And Give Us 5 Acres, What Justice Is This? Asks Advocated AIMPLB Lawyer

12:40 pm: SC Judgement Will Further Strengthen Unity And Integrity Of India, Says Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah in a series of tweets welcomed the Supreme Court judgement. He said, “I am confident that this landmark judgment given by the Supreme Court will prove to be a milestone in itself. This decision will give further strengthen to the unity, integrity and great culture of India.”

Shah also said, “I appeal to people of all communities and religions to accept this decision with ease and remain committed to our pledge of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’, full of peace and harmony.

12:18 pm: Huge Ram Mandir Will Be Constructed In Ayodhya, Says RSS Ideologue MG Vaidya

RSS ideologue MG Vaidya told Huffpost India’s Pavan Dahat, “I am satisfied with the Supreme Court verdict. The disputed land is undisputed now. Huge Ram Mandir will be constructed there. Muslims have been given five acres of land in Ayodhya for the construction of Masjid and nobody should take objection to that. My only wish is that the land for Masjid should be outside the Pradskshina land of Mandir.”

12:07 pm: Prohibitory Orders Issued Across Delhi

Right after the Supreme Court announced its judgement in the Ayodhya title case, the Delhi police said on Twitter that prohibitory orders have been issued in Delhi.

11:59 am: Supreme Court’s Ayodhya Verdict Not Satisfactory, Says Lawyer For Muslim Parties

Zafaryab Jilani, lawyer of the Muslim litigants, reiterated in a press conference that the judgement was not satisfactory.

(Read his interview with Huffpost India here.)

11:53 am: Landmark Judgement, Says Rajnath Singh

11:45 am Respect Judgement Of Supreme Court, Says Litigant Iqbal Ansari

Iqbal Ansari, one of the main litigants in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid title case said that he was happy that the Supreme Court had finally delivered a judgement.

11:36 am: We Are Not Satisfied, Says Sunni Waqf Board Lawyer

Zafaryab Jilani, the lawyer, who litigated the case for the Sunni Waqf Board for three decades said that while the Supreme Court’s order should be respected, he was not satisfied and that he would soon decided further course of action.

He had told Huffpost India in an interview, “We are fighting for the rule of law and rule of democracy, not just for one mosque. If we surrender, no mosque will be secure in the country and no minority community will feel safe. We are not just fighting for a piece of land.”

11:32 am: Lawyer Of Hindu Mahasabha Calls It ’Historic Judgement’

11:25: Right Of Ram Lalla To Disputed Site Subject To Maintenance Of Peace, Says SC

11:19 am: Supreme Court Orders Disputed Land Goes To Hindus, Alternate Land For Muslims

The Supreme Court says that the disputed land will be given to the Hindus. And that Muslims must be given alternate land. And that the Centre must formulate the a scheme within three months.

The court has said that a suitable plot of land measuring 5 acres should be handed over to the Sunni Waqf Board either by central government or the state government.

11:04 am: SC Reads Out Order

11:00 am: Section 144 Imposed Across Mumbai Till 11 am Tomorrow

Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed across Mumbai, the city that burned after the Babri Demolition. Official government reports from 1992 had said at least 900 people died in the Mumbai riots.

10:53 am: Title Should Be Decided On Evidence, Not On Faith And Belief, Says SC

The Supreme Court says that while the faith of Hindus that Ayodhya was the birth place of Ram could not be disputed, people of both faiths offered prayers on the disputed land in Ayodhya.

But court says title has to be decided base on law and not faith.

10:47 am: Supreme Court Quotes ASI Report ‘Babri Masjid Not Constructed On Vacant Land’

Bar& Bench quotes the Supreme Court as saying, “There is adequate material in ASI report to conclude the following: Babri Masjid not constructed on vacant land. There was a structure underlying the disputed structure. The underlying structure was not an Islamic structure, Supreme Court.”

10:45 am: Ramjanmabhoomi Not A Legal Personality, ASI’s Findings Can’t Be Brushed Aside, Says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court says that Archaeological Survey of India’s report cannot be brushed aside and that Ramjanmabhoomi is not a legal personality but the deity is a juridical person: SC

10:42 am: Suit By Nirmohi Akhara Barred By Limitation, Says Supreme Court

10:40 am: Court Should Defer From Interfering With Faith And Believe Of Worshippers, Says Supreme Court On Ayodhya Verdict.

10:38 am: Court Must Accept Faith Of Worshippers, Says SC

The Supreme Court says the Ayodhya verdict is unanimous. It says, “This court must accept faith and belief of worshippers.”

10:34 We Have Dismissed Special Leave Peition By Shia Wakf Board: SC

10:30 am: SC Bench Assembles For Ayodhya Verdict

The Supreme Court constitution bench has assembled for announcing the verdict. It is headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi and includeds Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.

10:10 am: Let’s Show The World This Is Gandhi’s Country: Lalu’s Message Of Peace Ahead Of Ayodhya Verdict

10:03 am: Amit Shah Calls Security Meeting With NSA Ajit Doval, IB Chief Arvind Kumar

Ahead of the Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court, Home Minister Amit Shah called a high level security meeting with that will be attended by NSA Ajit Doval, and IB Chief Arvind Kumar.

9:59 am: Mobile Internet Services Suspended In Aligarh District

9:55 am: Lawyers Gather Outside CJI Ranjan Gogoi’s Office In SC

Ahead of the historic verdict on the politically sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid title case, a sea of lawyers were seen outside Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi’s office.

Gogoi is heading a give judge constitution bench that will announce verdict.

9:45 am: Amethi Police Threatens Journalist Rana Ayyub With Legal Action Over Tweet On Babri Demolition

Journalist Rana Ayyub took to Twitter on Friday night to tweet about how the Babri Masjid demolition changed India, ahead of the Ayodhya verdict. “Tomorrow is a big day for India. The Babri Masjid, a monument of faith for Indian muslims was demolished on 6th Dec 1992 by those in power today. It changed my life and a generation of Muslims who were ‘othered’ overnight. I hope my country does not disappoint me tomorrow,” she wrote.

Amethi police replied to her tweet asking her to delete it and warning of legal action. Later the Amethi police Twitter handle block Ayyub’s account. They also later deleted the tweet with the warning to Ayyub.

9:30 am: Internet Services Suspended In Jaipur For 24 Hours

9:15 am: Huge Security Outside Supreme Court

8:34 am: Section 144 Imposed In Jaisalmer

8:20 am: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Maintain Peace’

8:15 am: Congress Top Brass To Meet Ahead Of Ayodhya Verdict

Congress top brass would be meeting on Saturday morning to discuss its strategy in the wake of the Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court.

Congress general secretary organisation KC Venugopal said the meeting of the CWC would be held tomorrow morning. It was earlier to be held on Sunday.

“The CWC meeting has been rescheduled to tomorrow 09.11.19, 0945 am at 10 Janpath. CWC members, Permanent Invitees & Special invitees will be attending the meeting,” Venugopal tweeted.

The Congress working committee, the highest decision making body of the party, decides on the party strategy on crucial issues.

It would discuss the party strategy to be adopted in the wake of the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya. (PTI)

8:05 am Huge Security Cover In Ayodhya

Ayodhya, the city that burned on the day the Babri Masjid was demolished, is a fortess. ANI tweeted some visuals.

8:00 am: Supreme Court To Deliver Ayodhya Verdict At 10:30 am Today

The Supreme Court is going to pronounce its verdict in the historic and politically sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case of Ayodhya at 10:30 am today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening took to Twitter to appeal to the people of the country to maintain peace and harmony as the verdict is announced.

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, will pronounce the verdict. The bench had heard the case for 40 days this year and had reserved its judgement on October 16.

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Gogoi met with Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and director general of police on Friday to assess the law and order arrangement in the state ahead of the verdict.

Ayodhya has been under complete lockdown since last month in anticipation of the verdict. Reports earlier this week had said that 12,000 security personnel had been deployed in Ayodhya district, while 16,000 volunteers were appointed by the UP police to keep an eye on social media to ensure no “objectionable content” or rumours are spread.

“Adequate forces have been provided to Ayodhya and all sensitive districts of the state in good measure. The force has been sufficiently strengthened in terms of CAPF and PAC companies,” Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) PV Ramasastry told PTI.

Ramasastry said not only their number had been increased but the efficiency of the deployed forces was also being improved for the past two months by giving them better equipment and training.

Apart from this, senior officers were also involved in planning, he said.

When asked whether drone cameras will be used for monitoring purposes, Ramasastry said, “Drone cameras are being used in the preparatory phase so that the deployment of the forces can be planned correctly.”

He said drone cameras would also be used to closely monitor vulnerable spots and rooftops to prevent the accumulation of stones.

Because of the crucial nature of the case and the communal riots that ensued after the demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992, political leaders cutting across party lines have appealed for peace. The riots, according to official numbers, had killed 2,000 people.

On Friday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all sections of people to maintain harmony, saying the verdict would not be a victory or defeat for anyone. He reportedly also told his council of ministers to avoid making unnecessary statements on it.

The Delhi Police has also asked its top officials to identify sensitive areas in the city for deployment of additional force, officials said. The police, PTI reported, has planned elaborate security arrangements.

Clerics and priest across the country have asked people to maintain restraint. Lucknow Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali told PTI, “We should all respect the judgment. We should exercise restraint and not hurt religious sentiments of any community.”

He said an all-religious meeting was recently organised at the Islamic Centre here to discuss several aspects before the judgment.

“The Ayodhya case is the biggest and most sensitive case of independent India. Hence, it is the responsibility of every citizen to honour the verdict and maintain peace,” Mahali said.

Meanwhile, priest at the Dakshinmukhi Hanuman Mandir in Hazratganj Sarvesh Shukla said, “My only appeal to the people is to honour and respect the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case.”

“I am confident that people of this country are quite mature, and they will accept the judgement delivered by the court,” he said.

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties ― the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

(With PTI inputs)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.