Congress hails Ayodhya verdict

New Delhi: Sensing the importance of the issue, Congress on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court's verdict on Ayodhya. Setting an example of a sensible opposition party, Congress president Sonia Gandhi called a meeting of its working committee the moment she came to know about the verdict pronouncement date and time on Friday late evening.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which was slated to happen on Sunday, was rescheduled for Saturday at the residence of Congress chief after the date of SC verdict on Ayodhya came to fore on Friday night. At the CWC, it was unanimously decided to support the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case as the order was in favour of Ram temple construction.

In a resolution passed by the CWC chaired by party chief Sonia Gandhi, the Congress also appealed to all parties concerned and all communities to "abide by the secular values and spirit of fraternity enshrined in the Constitution and to maintain peace and harmony".

While quoting the CWC resolution, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that it is the responsibility of each one of us to reaffirm our tradition of mutual respect and unity among all that has defined our society through the ages. In response to a query on whether the Congress was supportive of Ram temple construction, Surjewala said that Congress is in favour of Ram temple construction. Responding to another question, Surjewala said that the Supreme Court decision in the Ayodhya case cannot be a matter of credit or discredit to any individual, group of people, communities or political parties.

The Congress working committee is the highest decision making body of the party that decides on the party strategy on crucial issues.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi appealed to the public to respect the Supreme Court's judgment on the Ayodhya title suit, shortly after his party said that the verdict favoured the construction of a Ram temple on the disputed site.

In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said that it was time of brotherhood, trust and love for all Indians. "Everyone should respect the SC verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute and maintain harmony. This is the time to promote brotherhood, trust and love for all in the country," he said.