New Delhi , Oct. 1: Matters of faith were at the core of the Ayodhya title suits though it was purportedly about the disputed land at the town. So it is perhaps no wonder that religious metaphors predominated in the verdicts given by the judges of the Allahabad High Court on the case.
Justice Sibghat Ullah Khan starts off his verdict using the apt metaphor of a minefield. “Here is a small piece of land (1,500 square yards) where angels fear to tread,” he says.
“It is full of innumerable landmines. We are required to clear it.”
“Some very sane elements advised us not to attempt that,” he adds. “We do not propose to rush in like fools lest we are blown up. However, we have to take the risk. It is said that the greatest risk in life is not daring to take a risk when the occasion for the same arises.”
After pronouncing his 285-page verdict in the case, Justice Khan wonders whether he and his fellow judges had succeeded or failed.
“Once angels were made to bow before man,” he says. “Sometimes he has to justify the said honour. Have we succeeded or failed? No one can be a judge in his own cause.”
Since the joint title of all the three parties was established, Justice Khan and Justice Sudhir Agrawal, accordingly ordered partition of the disputed land among the three claimants.