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'People's response has been respectful'
A lot is being said about the verdict delivered by the special bench of the Allahabad high court in the Ayodhya case. We compile some of the comments made by political and social figures
Expressing satisfaction over the "respectful and dignified" response of people to the Ayodhya verdict, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Centre has no role in the issue except to maintain status quo and ensure law and order across the country.
He told a press conference that it was a fair assumption that the verdict of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on the dispute will go to Supreme Court, which may pass an interim order and take it up for hearing.
"There is no role for the Centre now. The judges have given a stay and ordered a status quo (on the situation as obtaining) before the verdict. The judgment is not operational as of now.
"The judgment is indeed an important document. But it is not operational. It is a fair assumption that appeals may be lodged (in Supreme Court). It is a fair assumption that the Supreme Court will pass interim orders," he said.
"We are pleased and satisfied with the response of people which has been respectful and dignified," he said.
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'I am disappointed with the HC verdict'
"I am disappointed as the decision in a judicial verdict was delivered by keeping faith above law and evidences," Mulayam told media persons.
The SP leader said Muslims of the country were feeling "cheated and the entire community was in the state of despair".
"This is not a good sign for the country, the Constitution and even for the judiciary," the SP supremo said.
Mulayam said that he was of the view that the aggrieved party will move the Supreme Court where a decision would be given on the basis of evidences and law.
'It is important that peace prevails'
"The judgment has resulted in dividing the land into three parts. The Sri Ram temple can be built in the required acreage only if all parties amicably discuss the matter and adopt a give and take policy," he told media persons.
The Seer, who had at one time played a mediatory role on the Ayodhya issue, said religious parties, including Mutt leaders and sankaracharyas, Muslim Law Board, Waqf Board, the Nyas (under Nrthya Gopaldas), the Akhara sect (to whom one part of the ground has been decreed) should hold discussions.
"The important thing is that peace should prevail and negotiated settlements must slowly begin," he said.
'Step forward towards construction of a grand temple'
Welcoming the Ayodhya title suit judgement as one that paves the way for construction of a grand Ram temple at the disputed site, Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani said: "So far as the judgment upholds the right of the Hindus to construct a temple at the Garbh-Grih (sanctum sanctorum), it is a significant step forward towards the construction of a grand temple at the birth place of Lord Ram."
He maintained that the Archaeological Survey of India and other expert agencies proved that the structure was a massive Hindu religious structure.
"The expert opinion of ASI and other expert agencies engaged by it had clearly opined that there were remains of a Hindu religious structure where the disputed structure stood," Advani said.
The right-wing party said the verdict is an opportunity to build national integration.
"The BJP believes that this verdict opens a new chapter for national integration and a new era for inter-community relations. The BJP is gratified that the nation has received the verdict with maturity," Advani said.
'Judgment opens the door to the path of reconciliation'
"I feel that the learned judges have delivered an admirable verdict. It is a judgment that opens the door to the path of reconciliation," she said in a statement.
Jayalalithaa called upon all parties to fully appreciate the spirit of the judgment and strive to evolve a solution, which will make India "a shining model of dynamic secularism."
AIADMK's ally Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Vaiko said the judgment has been given from a point of ensuring harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
"Hindu-Muslim unity is the basis for a peaceful future and this should be borne in mind for the welfare of the country," he said in a statement.
'Maintaining status quo at Ayodhya is Centre's duty'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has declared that the Centre alone should be held responsible for maintenance of status quo at the disputed site in Ayodhya, in accordance with the high court verdict.
Addressing media persons on Friday, Mayawati said, "In case there was any new activity at the disputed site during this three month period, the Centre would be held solely responsible for that."
Mayawati was clearly of the view that it was the centre's duty to maintain a round-the-clock vigil in and around the disputed Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Mosque area.
"As far as the state is concerned, I have issued strict instructions to ensure that any mischief is nipped in the bud," she said, while adding, "and down the line my officials have been warned that any lapse on their part would not be tolerated at any cost."
The UP chief minister also made an appeal to Muslims of the state to maintain calm and not get misguided by mischievous element. She said, "I wish to assure the people of the state, Muslims particularly, that they need not worry the least about their safety and security; they will remain absolutely secure and protected."
At the same time, she appealed to them, 'not to get carried away by any kind of rumour-mongering and to shun mischief-mongers'.
'Babri masjid verdict has saddened all of us'
"Demolishing a mosque anywhere in the world is a cause of concern for Muslims across the globe. The verdict on the Babri Masjid case has saddened all of us," Geelani said.
He said while it was a cause of concern, the people of Kashmir, who were engaged in a 'movement', should follow the protest schedule issued by him earlier.
"We should follow our own programme at the moment in order to achieve our goals," he said.
'We do not accept the decision made in a closed room'
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid, expressed dissatisfaction over the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya title dispute but appealed to Muslims to maintain peace.
Bukhari, addressing a gathering during Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid, said a decision on such a crucial issue cannot be taken in a "closed room".
"We are unhappy with the court verdict. The decision should be made by the Muslim public in the open. We do not accept the decision made in a closed room", Bukhari said.
He said the verdict turned out to be a "settlement" and "partition" suit rather than a title suit.
Bukhari urged the community members to maintain peace and not take any step to spoil the peaceful atmosphere.
Without naming any particular political party he said, people of the community should be wary of those who attempted to politicise the issue.