PTI
NEW DELHI
Chief Justice J S Khehar also offered to mediate even as the bench headed by him suggested that the parties to the dispute adopt a “give a bit and take a bit” approach for a meaningful and sincere negotiations to resolve the vexatious issue.
The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, in 2010, had ruled for a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres area at the site in Uttar Pradesh.
The three-judge bench, by a majority of 2:1, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties, Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and the ‘Ram Lalla’ (nascent Lord Ram).
The apex court said that such religious issues can be best resolved through negotiations.
“These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. These issues are best decided jointly. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting,” the bench, also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul, said.
The observations were made after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing, saying that it has been over six years after the High Court decided the civil appeal and that it needed to be heard at the earliest.
The BJP Parliamentarian told the court that he had approached the Muslim community members who favoured judicial decision in the contentious matter.
“You (Swamy) must make fresh attempts to arrive at a consensual decision. If required, you must choose a mediator to end the dispute. If the parties wants me (CJI) to sit with mediators chosen by both the sides for negotiations, I am ready to take up the task.
1986: Between the then president and treasurer of AIMPLB and Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchikoti. Attempt fails
1990: Committee of three chief ministers holds many meetings with AIMPLB and VHP. All negotiations fail
1992: A committee of some ministers holds many meetings but talks halted after Babri Masjid demolition
2002: Then President of AIMPLB, Qasmi and Jagadguru Shankaracharya meet. No convincing results come out
2010: Mohammed Hashim Ansari, a litigant in title suit advocates for seeking an out-of-court settlement
2016: Mahant Narendra Giri, meets Hashim Ansari. Both sides say a peaceful way must be found
