Ayodhya verdict must not be based on faith, but ownership of the land, says AIMPLB

(By: Shoaib Raza)

New Delhi: Amid pressure built against the backdrop of several leaders and saints raking up the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) convened an executive meeting on Sunday and reiterated its stand on the Babri Masjid. It also appealed to the Supreme Court to deliver the verdict on the matter considering the ownership rights to the land where the mosque stood and not on the faith of the people. 

The board also discussed the controversy surrounding the proposal of the opening of Shariat courts all over the country and said that several 'Darul Qaza' are already being run in the country. It added that recently 'Darul Qaza' were set up in three new cities, including Kannauj and proposals have come for its set up from 10 more cities. 

The meeting, held in the national capital, was attended by Board secretary general Wali Rehmani, secretary Zafaryab Jilani, Kamal Farooqui among others. 

"The board has got proposals from various parts of the country to open 10 Sharia courts out of which five have been approved and will be opened soon," Jilani said adding that the other five proposals are under consideration.

He said among those five that have been approved, one is being inaugurated in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, on July 16. On July 22, a Sharia court will be set up in Surat, Gujarat, while on September 9 one will be set up at a place in Maharashtra, one on November 20 and the fifth one will be set up by the end of this year.

He said the news about the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) planning to set up such courts in every district was not correct and emphasised that the courts are set up only when a proposal comes to the board.

During the meeting, the board said that 'Darul Qaza' is necessary to reduce the weight of lawsuits in the country. "This is not a parallel court but in the light of the Quran and Hadith, it is a platform to settle the issues of Muslims," it said. However, there is no legal status for Darul Qaza in India.

Reiterating its stand on the Ram Temple issue, the board said that Babri Masjid will remain a mosque till eternity for the Muslims. It announced that it will fight firmly the legal battle in the Ayodhya dispute case. Though it added that the matter is in court and whatever ruling the court gives, it will be accepted by all. 

Clarifying its stand on issues like Triple Talaq and Nikah Halala, Zafaryab Jilani said that such debates are raked up to defame the board. "AIMPLB knows its responsibility and will keep working accordingly," he said. 

The board also passed a resolution against homosexuality in the meeting terming it a crime. "The government should not take any step which encourages homosexuality. It is a crime which can cause an imbalance in the society," it said.