Hyderabad: In his first address to the nation after the unanimous Supreme Court decision in the Ayodhya land dispute case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the judgement and said, "today the Supreme Court has delivered an important verdict that had a contentious past. This case which was going on for decades has concluded finally."
He further said that the verdict is an example of the country's belief in the philosophy of "unity in diversity".
Further hailing the apex court's decision, Prime Minister Modi says, "Supreme Court listened to all the sides during the hearings of this case with utmost patience and it is a matter of happiness for the entire country that the decision came with the consent of all."
Also read: 1885 to 2019: Chronology of the Ayodhya land dispute case
Appealing to the people to maintain peace, the prime minister says, "There is no place for fear, bitterness, and negativity in the 'New India' we are building."
Referring to the inauguration of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and the Ayodhya verdict, Modi said, "today is 9th November, the day when Berlin wall was brought down. Today the Kartarpur Corridor was also inaugurated. Now the Ayodhya verdict, so this date gives us the message to stay united and move forward."
Throughout his address, Modi lauded the Indian judicial system that, he said, had helped etch today's date in history books in golden letters.
"The Supreme Court has shown to us that the most difficult problems can be dealt within the framework of India's legal system. It may take time, but it is better to stay patient. India's Constitution, its legal system — it is our great inheritance. That we have firm belief and trust in it is paramount. The apex court's decision today will bring a new dawn," he said.
"During the hearings, the Supreme Court heard every party with patience, and it is a matter of joy for everyone that the decision was taken with everyone's concerns into account. We know how big an issue it is to deal with small disputes at home. The Supreme Court has shown an iron will. The efforts of the judges, the court, the legal system, are laudable," he said.
Modi said the Ayodhya title dispute may have affected generations, but after today's decision the country should take a pledge "that our new generations will start afresh to help build a new India".
