Abide by verdict, appeals Muslim law board

Satisfied with the Supreme Court's nod to the Allahabad high court to pronounce its judgement in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid case, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has reiterated its appeal to Hindus and Muslims to abide by the court judgment and not to publicly display their emotions.

AIMPLB secretary Moulana Abdul Raheem Qureshi, reacting to Tuesday's decision of the three judge-bench of the Supreme Court, called it "the most appropriate judgement' and said that as there was no possibility of an out of court settlement, the court was the only way to resolve the dispute.

He exuded confidence that there will not be any trouble over the judgment as people at large know that any party unhappy with the verdict can challenge it in the apex court.

"Even the government is not going to do anything now as it will also wait for the final verdict. The matter will be settled once for all only after the Supreme Court hears the case and gives its final verdict," he said.

The AIMPLB was among the organisations which had opposed any further delay in judgment by the three-judge bench of the Allahabad high court.

The board secretary was also happy with the assurance of Attorney General GE Vahanvati on behalf of the government that it will ensure law and order was maintained after the judgment was pronounced.

"Some extremists may try to demonstrate but generally Hindus and Muslims want peace. We are confident that the government will prevent any trouble," he said.

Meanwhile, in view of the possibility of the Allahabad high court delivering a verdict on Thursday, security was being tightened in the sensitive city of Hyderabad. Additional police and paramilitary forces were being deployed in different parts of the city.

City police commissioner A K Khan had decided to continue the massive security arrangements made for the Ganesh immersion procession on Wednesday last but it had to be dismantled after the Supreme Court had issued a stay on the judgment.

A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders met the state home minister Sabita Indra Reddy and demanded proper security arrangements in the Muslim-dominated old city of Hyderabad.

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has also issued an appeal to the people against any public celebrations, distribution of sweet or bursting of crackers following the verdict