Court Rules Split Decision on India Mosque

  • 13 years ago
After all the prayers .... and some 18 years after a 16th century mosque in northern India destroyed by Hindu mobs triggered some of India's worst riots in its history—the verdict is in.

An Indian court ruled Thursday that the site of a demolished mosque will be split between Hindus and Muslims.

[Ravi Shankar Prasad, Counsel for the Hindu Litigants]:
"The honorable bench has ruled that the disputed land would be divided into three parts. The site which the Hindus believe to be the birthplace of Lord Rama would be given to them, the other part would be given to the Muslims and the third part would be given to the Nirmohi Akhara (A Hindu sect)."

The court also ruled Hindus will be allowed to keep a makeshift temple that was built over the demolished central mosque dome.

[Ravi Shankar Prasad, Counsel for the Hindu Litigants]:
"After this historic verdict, I appeal to the Muslim community to accept the decision of the court. They have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court if they feel aggrieved, but the court's ruling must be respected."

The demolition of the 16th century mosque killed about 2,000 people.

If the decision soothes tensions, it would be a boost for the ruling Congress party, a left-of-center group with secular roots, that does not want to upset either voter bloc.

The verdict comes only days ahead of Sunday's opening of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi with the government eager to project an image of stability and modernity to the world.

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