Before Ayodhya verdict, RSS & Muslim clerics meet at Naqvi's residence

Days ahead of Ayodhya verdict, a meeting has been called at the residence of Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday. The meeting is being attended by Muslim clerics and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders. BJP leaders Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, Ram Lal, Sangh's Krishna Gopal is attending the meeting. Representing the Muslim organisations are Maulana Mehmood Madni, Mukarram Ahmad, Akhtarul Wasey and others. 

After the meeting, Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council said that everyone was of the unanimous view that people of all religions should respect the SC judgement. "We will give guidelines to all dargahs to appeal to people not to believe rumours and fake news," he added. Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad reiterated the same. He added:  "We will appeal to all to propagate that peace must be maintained."

Meanwhile, Ayodhya District Magistrate, Anuj Kumar Jha has prohibited messages regarding Ayodhya land case on social media & posters that could disturb communal harmony. Earlier, various Muslim groups also urged everyone to maintain peace after the verdict. 

READ: Ayodhya verdict: AIMPB asks Muslims to repose faith in Constitution

Supreme Court reserves verdict

The Supreme Court on October 16, reserved the verdict Ram Janmabhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case. The bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising of SC judges Justices S.A. Bopde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, S. Abdul Nazeer reserved the verdict. The court reserved the verdict after marathon day-to-day hearing in the case.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Spiritual leader urges to maintain restraint

Mediation panel formed to solve dispute

The apex court had earlier this year formed a mediation panel to solve the age-old dispute. The panel consisted of Justice FMI Kalifulla, Senior advocate Sriram Panchu, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The panel was made for 8-week and Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad was set as the location where the mediation would be held. The eight-week deadline for the mediation talks were completed on May 3. However, the deadline was extended and the apex court on July 18 asked the mediation committee to continue the process and submit a report on the progress till July 31.

READ: Ayodhya verdict: Muslim groups say SC's decision should be respected

Mediation panel failed, day-to-day hearing began

On August 2, CJI Ranjan Gogoi declared that the Ayodhya mediation panel failed to come to a settlement. He declared that day-to-day hearings would start from August 6. Even after repeated appeals from both parties against day-to-day hearing, the apex court continued the process. 

READ: Ayodhya verdict: DM prohibits messages & posters about land dispute