Secular India needs to move on and not be held hostage to grievances, real or imaginary, from the distant past. A great deal of the responsibility lies with political parties and religious groups to maintain harmony in the face of fundamentalist forces seeking to disturb the peace by raising communal issues.

The verdict is a step away from religious fundamentalism and deserves applause. It becomes not only the duty of the two major communities but all political parties and the media to maintain peace. Here it is worth mentioning that instead of maintaining peace and communal harmony, a section of the electronic media acting as super judges is fanning the fire through long and fiery debates. Indeed, it is time people stopped succumbing to such divisive issues, thereby strengthening the fabric of national unity.   

DILBAG RAI, Chandigarh

II

The Ayodhya verdict is a victory of India’s secularism, unity in diversity and democratic rights of its citizens. The judgement of the High Court reflects their sagacity.

Equally important are the people of India who respected the verdict and avoided any sectarian violence. The verdict and its acceptance laid down a prudent example to the countries in the neighbourhood and to the rest of the world of India’s unity and its belief in harmony particularly when the Commonwealth Games are being held in the Capital.

This verdict also demands responsibile conduct from politicians, heads of religious bodies and the media. All of us must promote peace for the sake of sovereignty of India and repose our faith in the socio-economic development of the country.

Dr SANJIV GUPTA, Perth, Australia

III

The symbolism of the Ayodhya verdict is not just timely and powerful; it also sends out a message that for too long gullible voters have succumbed to the divisive issues of caste and religion. The new generation does not want to be tied down by the bitter past. They rather wish to move on and improve their material conditions and facilities.

The judgment is also significant in the sense that in the present global conditions, where Indian progress is under sharp focus of major powers, any negative impact will surely pull us back by many years.

Youngsters realise that the issues of faith will polarise society and thereby hamper their individual and collective growth. The court has shown us the way of handling mutual and ticklish issues and evolve a compromise settlement. Let us shed our politico-religious ego and think and work with a national perspective.

VED GULIANI, Hisar

IV

The verdict is a realisation that Hindus and Muslims have to live with each other and it has tried to be even-handed, based on facts and belief. There is no feeling of the victor or vanquished emanating from this judgement. If it is upheld by the Supreme Court, it can pave the way for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

VIJAY KUMAR SHARMA, Chandigarh

V

The Ayodhya verdict looks more like a religious verdict rather than a judicial one. Judgements ought to be based on facts. How is it possible that all three judges reached different conclusions based on the same facts?

I salute the aam aadmi who has matured immensely since the Babri Masjid demolition and has shown the real face of humanity. The media too has understood its responsibility.

Dr PARMIL KUMAR, Jammu

VI

The judges have done a fairly good job. No court verdict, howsoever, fair can satisfy all the parties involved. Prima facie, this one appears to satisfy most shades of opinion. Let us not nurse grudges and impede the nation’s progress. It will be best for the contending parties to bury the past and accept the court verdict with grace. In any case, the portals of the apex court are always open to the citizens of this country.