Ayodhya Verdict Reactions | Ruling a Red Letter Day in India's History, Says Sena's Uddhav Thackeray

In a historic verdict, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday announced its decision to give the entirety of the 2.77-acre land to the Hindu parties. The court ruled that an alternate land will be given to the Muslim parties, while a trust will monitor the construction of a temple on the disputed land, it ordained was owned by the Hindus.

Just minutes after the judgement was pronounced, there was an outpour of reactions from litigants, advocates in and leaders from across the political spectrum.

Here are the live updates of reactions to the verdict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi:  "This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody," PM Modi tweeted hours after the verdict in the case. "Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti," he said. Calling the Supreme Court verdict notable Modi said, " It highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law. It reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of our judiciary. It clearly illustrates everybody is equal before the law."

Sunni Central Waqf Board Chairman: Chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui of Sunni Central Waqf Board, one of the main litigants in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case welcomed the Supreme Court verdict and said it has no plans to challenge it. "We welcome the Supreme Court verdict in the case. The Board has no plans to challenge it," Farooqui said.

In a presser following the judgement, Jilani said, “It’s not a defeat. Whatever legal course is possible we will find that. judgement is not satisfactory from the fact that the land of the courtyard has been given to the other side. We will discuss if the review will be filed or not.”

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: In a happy yet tempered statement, Mohan Bhagwat said that the judgement shouldn't be seen from the lens of victory and defeat."Please express your joy in a measured manner," he said and added, "We will all come together and fulfil our role for the creation of the Ram Temple."

VHP spokesperson working president Alok Kumar: Addressing a press conference here, VHP working president Alok Kumar said the SC order is a "decisive step towards construction of grand Ram temple in Ayodhya". The VHP, he said, expects the central government to take speedy steps on the directions issued by the Supreme Court, including creation of a trust to build the temple. He claimed that 60 per cent of pillars and beams for the Ram temple are ready.

Nirmohi Akhara spokesperson, Kartik Chopra: Despite the top court pronouncing against the Nirmohi Akhara’s claim that it is a shebait or devotee of the deity Ram Lalla, Kartik Chopra remained grateful to the apex court for having “recognize its fight of 150 years”. “…(The Supreme Court) has given the Nirmohi Akhara adequate representation in the trust to be set up by the Central Government to build & manage the Shri Ram Janmasthan Temple,” he said.

Home Minister and BJP Leader, Amit Shah: In a series of tweets Amit Shah hailed the landmark judgement, which he said: "will prove to be a milestone in itself". "This decision will give further strength to the unity, integrity and great culture of India," he said congratulating the justice system and the justices.

BJP Vice President, Uma Bharati: Welcoming the “divine” judgement by the Supreme Court, Uma Bharati hailed Ashok Singhal and LK Advani, who had largely led the movement which would lead to the demolition of the Babri masjid. “Recalling the honourable Ashok Singhal ji, paying homage to him. All those who sacrificed their lives for this work, tribute and….. Greetings of Advani ji, under whose leadership all of us put our best at stake for this great work,” Bharati tweeted.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi: A vocal critic of the ruling party and groups that toe the Hindutva line, Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the judgement saying, "If the Babri Masjid wasn’t demolished that day, what would the judgement have been today? There has been discrimination against Muslims and no one can deny it. We are fighting for our legal rights," Rejecting the SC's decision to allot an alternate land to the Muslim parties, he further said, "The entire nation is marching on the way of being a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.  I am only scared that there are many Masjids- where the Sangh Parivar will claim rights." He further said, "Supreme Court has not given them as a bounty. They need to decide whether to take it or not."

Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi: " I was never the leader of the movement I was the supporter of the movement. It’s about moving forward, moving ahead," said Murli Manohar Joshi, who had helmed the BJP when the Ram Mandir movement had reached its peak. When asked if the next agenda would be Kashi and Mathura he said, "Future movement will depend on the Supreme Court verdict."

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath: Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict, Yogi Adityanath said, "Everyone should support for unity and amity in the country. In UP, the government is committed to maintaining peace and security."

BSP chief Mayawati: Terming the verdict as historic, Mayawati says, "Under the secular constitution of Respected Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, while respecting the historic decision given by the Supreme Court in relation to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute today, all the work should be done in an amicable atmosphere only."

Congress spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala: "The Indian National Congress respects the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case," Randeep Surjewala said as he appealed for peace and harmony. "Ram is sacrifice, Ram is bhaichara (brotherhood), Lord Ram’s name cannot be used to divide. Those who do this in the name of ram, don’t understand him at all. The BJP can no longer use Ram to quench its hunger for power."

Shiv Sena leader, Aaditya Thackeray: Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, who is touted as the CM hopeful in Maharashtra, in a tweet exclaimed saying, "Jai Shree Ram!"

Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal: Noting that the judgement in the case was a unanimous one, CM Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "We welcome the decision of the SC. Today SC gave decision on several decades of controversy. The years-old dispute ended today. I appeal to all people to maintain peace and harmony."

Former CM of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis: "The decision cannot be considered as for or against anyone. Almost everyone has welcomed this verdict," Devendra Fadnavis says.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot: Targeting the BJP, Ashok Gehlot said the saffron party made Ram Temple a political issue and tried to "divide society for winning elections". "BJP, RSS, VHP should have left the matter to the judiciary at that time. If they had done it, the country could have been saved from violence and bloodshed. They provoked people. Donation for Ram temple was collected. Babri Masjid was demolished and when the riots broke out, who had benefited?" he asked.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: The Defence Minister said the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya is a landmark judgement which should be respected by all. "I also feel that the judgement will strengthen the country's social fabric," he said and appealed to people to maintain peace and social amity.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar: Haryana Chief Minister called the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case historic, saying it would further strengthen the country's social fabric.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar: "The people of Himachal and especially the people of Palampur are very happy over the verdict because it was in Palampur 30 years ago that the BJP National Working Committee had passed the resolution to build a Lord Ram temple in Ayodhha," Shanta Kumar said.

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar: The NCP chief said the apex court's unanimous decision will help address a "serious concern" before the country. "The supreme court's unanimous decision will help address a serious concern before the country. The judiciary has talked about protecting interests of all the sections of the society. It is a good thing," Pawar said.

Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray: Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said he may visit Ayodhya soon. “This is red-letter day in country's history. I remember Bal Thackeray, Ashok Singhal on this day," Thackeray said.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal: Piyush Goyal said the unanimous judgement of the Supreme Court on Ayodhya dispute has ended a decades-old legal dispute. "This is a welcome decision of the Supreme Court which has been taken unanimously by the court. This decision has lead to the end of decades old legal issue," he said in a tweet.