Muslim body rejects HC verdict on Ayodhya

A body of Muslim scholars and clerics, who gathered at Jama Masjid on Thursday, rejected the verdict of the Allahabad high court on the Ayodhya title suit. They also rejected any reconciliation bid and demanded that the Centre clear its stand on the issue.

Nearly 40 muslim scholars, led by Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari, passed a resolution in which they claimed that giving away the mosque land or its partition is "haraam'' under Shariah (Islamic jurisprudence). Representatives of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board were not called for the meeting.

"We reject the judgment of the Allahabad high court and demand that the Central government express its stand clearly. The Congress should do the same," said Bukhari. He said the body has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought time to meet him and discuss the issue further. The Shahi Imam had met Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday, said sources.

Maulana Abdul Lateef Qasmi, Darul-uloom Deoband, alleged that the Congress is directly responsible for all anti-masjid acts. Asked if he was seeking the support of other political parties as Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had met him, the Shahi Imam said: "Support of anybody who is with the Muslim community is welcome".

He said the convention would be a party to the appeal before the Supreme Court.