'Hurt Minorities' Confidence In Judiciary': Top Muslim Body After Varanasi Court Ruling In Gyanvapi Case

Muslim outfits under the umbrella of AIMPLB stated that the Places of Worship Act, 1991 should be implemented in letter and spirit to check disputes in the country

New Delhi: Targeting the Central and Uttar Pradesh government after the Varanasi High Court allowed the Hindu side to offer prayers at the Vyas basement of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque, Shahar-e-Mufti and Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee (AIMC) general secretary Maulana Abdul Batin Nomani said a particular community was being targeted and atrocities are being committed against them.

Taking exception to the Varanasi court ruling, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Friday said the decision came in “haste” and said they would escalate the matter up to the Supreme Court to ensure justice for the Muslims.

Muslim outfits under the umbrella of AIMPLB stated that the Places of Worship Act, 1991 should be implemented in letter and spirit to check disputes in the country, news agency PTI reported.

The AIMPLB chief Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani also said that the Varanasi Court order has not only “pained” the Muslim community but all other religions that believe in the tenets of secularism.

“The notion that a mandir (temple) was demolished to build a mosque is wrong. Islam does not allow taking away someone's land to build a mosque. The court ruled on it in haste and the other (Muslim) side was not even given a chance to put forward its arguments in detail. This has hurt the confidence of minorities in the judiciary,” PTI quoted Rahmani as saying.

He further referred to the Babri Masjid verdict saying judgments should be passed based on factual evidence and not just faith.

“In the Babri Masjid decision, it was accepted that the temple was not brought down to build a mosque but the decision was made in the favour of the other side on the basis of 'aastha (faith)'. Courts should rule on the basis of facts and not 'aastha',” PTI quoted Rahmani as saying.

Meanwhile, around 300 seers under the umbrella body All India Sant Samiti, held a meeting on the Gyanvapi case in Varanasi on Friday.

Condemning the AIMPLB statements, the seer body said such remarks are made to incite the Muslim community.

“AIMPLB has acted in an irresponsible manner. This country is run by through Constitutional procedures. We had taken up the Ram Janmabhoomi issue staying within our Constitutional rights and we will also take up the Gyanvapi issue in a similar manner. AIMPLB should avoid making such statements,” National General Secretary of All India Sant Samiti, Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, said.

(With PTI inputs)