Ahead of SC verdict on Ayodhya, Sushil Modi urges people of Bihar to stay calm

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi today appealed people to accept the Supreme Court's verdict on Ram Janam Bhoomi's case of Ayodhya by maintaining peace and patience.

Patna:Ahead of the Supreme Court's final verdict on the Ayodhya title suit, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Thursday came out with an impassioned plea for calm and patience, urging the people not to view the judgement as a matter of either victory or defeat.

In a statement issued here, the senior BJP leader requested the people of the state to accept the verdict of the Apex Court, "whatever it may be", with "dhairya" (forbearance) and "shanti" (tranquillity).

"Whenever the judgement is pronounced, neither side should treat it as a victory or a defeat. It shall not be seen as an occasion to rise up in celebrations or to go in mourning", Modi said.

The NDA shall treat the verdict merely as the victory of the rule of law. The matter has been hanging in balance for several years and we hope, with the judgement, a new era of amity and mutual trust shall be heralded in the country, the Deputy CM said.

"I would also urge party workers, office-bearers and supporters to refrain from issuing any statements on the Ayodhya issue before the verdict is out. The occasion demands restraint", the BJP leader added.

Dating back to 1950, the Ayodhya title dispute was first adjudicated by a Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court in September 2010 which ruled by majority in favour of dividing the disputed piece of land equally among the three claimants.

Ram Lalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara, and the Sunni Wakf Board.

The appeal against the judgement has been heard by a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court. The verdict is expected to be out before November 17, when Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi - who headed the bench will retire.