Babri Case: Congress-BJP Engage in War of Words After SC Hearing

Sibal had said in the SC that the appeals in the case be heard in July 2019 after the next the Lok Sabha polls.

Matter to be Treated as Civil Appeals Only

In pursuance to the Supreme Court’s earlier direction, the Yogi Adityanath government has submitted the English translation of exhibits and documents likely to be relied upon, as these were in eight different languages.

A battery of high profile lawyers, including senior advocates K Parasaran, CS Vaidyanathan and Saurabh Shamsheri, will appear for Lord Ram Lalla, the deity, and Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta will represent the Uttar Pradesh government.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Anoop George Chaudhari, Rajeev Dhavan and Sushil Jain will represent other parties, including the All-India Sunni Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara.

The top court had on 11 August asked the Uttar Pradesh government to complete within 10 weeks the translation of the evidence recorded for adjudication of the title dispute in the High Court. It had said it would not allow the matter to take any shape other than the civil appeals, and would adopt the same procedure as was done by the High Court.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, an intervenor in the matter, had attempted to raise the issue of fundamental right of religion of Hindus under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Many of the original plantiffs and defendants in the matter, including Mohd Hashim, who was the first person to take the matter to the apex court, have died.

(With inputs from PTI)

Watch: Kapil Sibal Responds to Modi's Remarks on Babri-Ramjanmabhoomi Case

SC Order Shows Sibal Was Representing Sunni Waqf Board: BJP

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, on Thursday, 7 December, said Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal did indeed represent the Sunni Waqf Board in the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya dispute case, and that the apex court’s order is a proof to that.

Supreme Court’s order of the day clearly states that Mr Kapil Sibal represented the Sunni Waqf Board and therefore the truth is now out. This is nothing but misleading the country.

Gaurav Bhatia, BJP national spokesperson

Bajrang Dal Activists Booked for Taking out March in Ayodhya on Demolition Anniversary

Despite prohibitory orders, scores of Bajrang Dal activists took out a march on bikes and cars in Ayodhya, on Wednesday, 6 December, to mark 25 years of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, following which a case was registered against around 50 unidentified persons.

The Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad celebrated the day as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ (day of valour) while some Muslim outfits observed ‘Yaum-e-Gham’ (day of sorrow).

In Ayodhya, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were imposed.

However, Bajrang Dal took out a march following which a case was registered at the Ayodhya Kotwali police station.

Talking to PTI, Haji Mahboob, the local convenor of Babri Masjid Action Committee, said, "we have demanded action against those trying to pollute the harmonious atmosphere of Ayodhya".

Congress Playing With Hindu Belief: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday, 6 December, that the Congress was "playing" with the faith of the Hindu community over the issue of construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Reacting to the controversy over senior Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal seeking deferment of hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute till 2019, he said:

It is like playing mischievously with the Hindu belief. The Congress will have to clarify whether it wants to see the Ram Mandir constructed in Ayodhya or not.

On Rahul Gandhi's claim that he is a devotee of Lord Shiva, Adityanath said, "The Congress government at the Centre had tried to demolish the Ram Setu which was built due to the effort of Lord Ram. When the matter was challenged in the Supreme Court, the Congress government had filed an affidavit raising question on the existence of Ram and Krishna," he said.

Rahul Gandhi should be asked, when he does not believe in Ram, Shiva, Krishna and when he said that people go to temple to tease women, then why do you go to the temple? Nothing wrong in going to temple but do so out of faith and not hypocrisy.

Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister