Ayodhya verdict: Law Board panel to appeal for restraint by Muslims

With all eyes on the verdict on Ayodhya title suit, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) committee on Babri Masjid today decided to issue an appeal to the Muslim community to exercise restraint and sought a strong statement from the government that it will not tolerate elements who disturb law and order.

In a meeting in New Delhi, the committee on Babri Masjid of the AIMPLB discussed all possible scenarios that are likely to emerge following the crucial September 24 verdict, and its strategy in its wake.

The members also discussed the possible reactions the Allahabad high court verdict may have and what the committee's response would be in both eventualities, particularly in controlling any adverse reaction.

"We will tomorrow issue an elaborate appeal to the community through all Muslim organisations," convenor of the committee SR Ilyas told PTI after the meeting.

"We would send a message asking the Muslim community that there should not be any reaction whatever the verdict may be -- there should neither be any celebration nor any expression of anger or protest," he said.

The committee also reiterated its stand that it would abide by the final judicial verdict on the issue, and emphasised that the option of appealing to the Supreme Court would still be open after the high court verdict.

"Our movement would end after the final verdict of the Supreme Court," Ilyas said.

The committee also appealed to all the people of the country to maintain calm and to consider it as a dispute to be resolved by the court.

The meeting was attended among others by prominent community leaders Syed Shahabuddin, Kamal Farooqi, while Zafaryab Jilani participated through tele-conferencing.

The committee also decided that it would ask the government to deliver a strong message that no law and order disturbances will be tolerated in the aftermath of the verdict, and that disturbing elements will be dealt with strongly.

"Besides appealing for calm, the government should also give a strong message that it would not tolerate problem creators," he said.

The committee also decided to meet within a week of the verdict to decide on its future course of action.