Ahead of SC verdict on Ayodhya, Mamata appeals for peace in state

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday appealed to the people of the state for maintaining peace ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit which is expected anytime before November 17. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will demit office before November 17 and is expected to announce the judgment before that.

"So much information is coming through media regarding Ayodhya and it is being reported that the judgment may be out any time. We are waiting for the verdict. In the meantime, so many political leaders have appealed for peace. I also appeal for the same," Banerjee said after chairing the extended working committee meeting of the party at Trinamool Bhavan.

Banerjee said he had asked all MLAs and MPs who attended the meeting to appeal for peace and be vigilant in their respective areas. "I have alerted all those present in the meeting regarding the issue and any statement after the verdict will be made only by me. We are all responsible citizens and it is our duty to ensure that the country's unity and integrity are not disturbed by any means," she asserted.

It may be mentioned that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is slated to meet in New Delhi on Sunday to mull on the party's strategy ahead of the Apex Court verdict.

A five-judge Constitution bench, led by CJI Gogoi, had reserved its verdict in the politically sensitive case on October 16 after a marathon 40-day hearing.

The ruling will be on appeals against a verdict by a three-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court in 2010. The bench had held that three parties — Bhagwan Ramlalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara and Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board — were in joint possession of the disputed 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya in the absence of a better title, and had directed a three-way partition.

On December 6, 1992, the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu Karsevaks in Ayodhya, which led to one of the worst religious riots in the post-Independence India killing over 2,000 people.

Meanwhile, a senior TMC leader said Rajib Banerjee, minister for Backward Classes Welfare has been appointed as the Observer of South Dinajpur district. Banerjee is also the Observer of Nadia. State Labour minister Moloy Ghatak and MP Kalyan Banerjee have been appointed as additional Observers of Bankura district. The two will assist Transport minister Suvendu Adhikari, the Observer of the district.