Apprehending an extreme reaction in the country in the aftermath of the Allahabad high court judgment on the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute, which is expected to come on September 24, the government on Thursday made a fervent appeal for peace and calm. In a resolution, which was passed by the Union Cabinet, it said that the judicial recourse would not end till “all sections are satisfied and further legal remedies would be available”.
The issues relating to prospective judicial pronouncement were discussed at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said. “It goes without saying that the judgment needs to be treated with the utmost respect,” she said while reading out the resolution.
“At the same time, we must remember the fact that the judgment, at this stage, is one step in the judicial process. The determination of the issues need not necessarily end with this judgment unless it is accepted by all parties,” the resolution said.
Claiming that the high court pronouncement would not be the last word, the government said, “In case any of the parties feels that further judicial consideration is required, there are legal remedies available which could be resorted to.”
Urging all sections to maintain “equanimity and tranquillity” in the aftermath of the judgment, the government said, “There should be no attempt whatsoever made by any section of people to provoke any other section or to indulge in any expression of emotion that would hurt the feelings of other people.”
The resolution was passed against the backdrop of worry in the government that there could be a communal flare-up in the event of the high court verdict on the Ayodhya title suits going either way.
The Prime Minister had recently held a meeting with senior Cabinet colleagues on the issue.
Hoping that the highest traditions of Indian culture of respecting all religious will be fully maintained, the resolution said that the country is “firmly and resolutely” on the path of inclusive growth, which is recognised all over the world.