Sonia Gandhi appeals to people to accept Ayodhya verdict

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today appealed to the people to "accept whatever" the verdict is in the Ayodhya title suit case and maintain peace, goodwill and brotherhood at all costs.

Amid apprehensions of the breach of peace after the verdict tomorrow, Gandhi said, "Accept whatever it is, as per our great tradition of having a liberal outlook".

"We all know that the Lucknow bench of the Allabahad high court will be giving its judgment on a sensitive issue. Along with this, we know that almost the entire country has expressed its willingness to accept the judgement by imposing faith in the impartiality of the judiciary", Gandhi, who is also chairperson of the ruling UPA, said in an appeal.

Gandhi said that while this was a matter of pride for the high traditions of the judiciary of the country, it was also a symbol of the collective conscience of India. "Unity in diversity and a composite culture is our most precious heritage and legacy," the Congress president said.

She emphasised that emotional integrity is the biggest strength of the Indian society and the nation.

Her appeal came on the heels of that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who called up on people to maintain equanimity and tranquility in the aftermath of the judgment.

"There should be no attempt whatsoever made by any section of the people to provoke any other section or to indulge in any expression of emotion that would hurt the feelings of other people," Singh said in an appeal, published in almost all leading newspapers.