Too late for a compromise: Waqf lawyer Jilani

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to stay the Allahabad High Court final judgement on the Babri Masjid title suit, rediff.com's Vicky Nanjappa spoke to Jafaryab Jilani, the lawyer who is representing the Muslim organistaions in this litigation.

"There is no chance for a compromise on the Ayodhya title suit and we will tell the Supreme Court the same thing when the matter is called out on September 28," said Jilani, counsel for the Sunni Central Waqf Board after the Supreme court order.

In response to a plea by Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed for a week the Ayodhya title suit verdict that was due to be pronounced by the Allahabad High Court on Friday, and will hear the plea for deferment of the judgement next Tuesday. Tripathi had made a similar plea before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High court last week. 

Jilani said that is too late to discuss a compromise formula and he would stick to this stand before the Supreme Court.

"I do not understand the logic in this argument put forth by the applicant who has sought a deferment of the plea. He is not a contesting party in the proceedings, so how can he seek a deferment of the plea, when the matter has been decided and is awaiting orders. The matter has been argued for so many years now and when it was reaching its end, a plea for deferment has been sought," said Jilani

"The matter is slated to be heard on September 28 and I would not like to comment on whether there would be any further delay in the Supreme Court. It is not right for me to speculate and say that if the matter is delayed before the Supreme Court then the entire case will have to be re-heard by the Lucknow Bench in view of one of the judges retiring on October 1."

"The applicant has raised a crucial issue regarding the threat of violence erupting as result of the verdict. There should not be any such apprehension. I can guarantee that both the communities will not resort to violence whatever the verdict may be. It will be respected and the country will remain calm. It is the duty of everyone to respect the verdict."

"Moreover there is also a provision to approach the Supreme Court in case any of the parties is unhappy with the verdict. We had taken all possible steps to ensure that there would be no violence or any sort of jubilation after the verdict comes out," claimed Jilani.