Babri Row: Shia Waqf Board Says Mosque Can Be Built In A Muslim Dominated Area [Read Affidavit]

Three days before the Supreme Court is set to hear the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid dispute, the Shia Central Waqf Board, Uttar Pradesh filed an affidavit in the apex court saying a mosque can be located in a Muslim dominated area “at a reasonable distance from the most revered place of birth of maryada puroshottam Ram”.

“Shia Central Waqf Board is of the view that closeness of place of worships that is masjid and mandir of the two litigating denominations should be avoided in as much as both denominations, using loudspeakers tend to disturb the religious performances of each other often leading to conflicts and acrimony. Answering respondent is of the view that to bring quietus, masjid can be located in Muslim dominated area at a reasonable distance from the most revered place of birth of maryada puroshottam Ram”, it said.

It also sought time from the Supreme Court for exploring an amicable out of the court settlement for the dispute. It said the Babri Masjid was a shia property and not a Sunni waqf property as was being claimed by Sunni Waqf Board

“Babri masjid is a Shia property and not a sunni Waqf property as is being claimed by Sunni Waqf Board. Effort of Shia central waqf board will definitely bring about an amicable solution of the dispute and usher in a new era for both the larger denominations to l ive inpeace and harmony”, it said.

After a gap of seven years, SC last Friday decided to commence the hearing of the case on August 11.

A three-judge Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad HC had passed the Judgment in September 2010 .

On an appeal by Muslim bodies, SC had stayed implementation of the HC decision soon after. The case has remained in limbo ever since. The High Court had also directed that the controversial land of 2.77 acres at Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid be divided equally among Hindus, Muslims and Nirmohi Akhara, the parties to the suit.

The appeals filed by the Sunni Waqf Board and other parties five years ago challenge the September 30, 2010 verdict of a three-judge Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.

The high court had ruled for a three way division of the disputed 2.77 acres area at the site. The three judge bench, by a majority of 2:1, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties, Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and the 'Ram Lalla' (nascent Lord Ram).