VHP welcomes government's writ in SC seeking return of Ayodhya land to original owners

The VHP on Tuesday welcomed the government's writ petition in the Supreme Court, seeking to return 67-acre land around the disputed site in Ayodhya to its original owners, saying the step was in the right direction.

In a fresh plea, the Centre said it had acquired 67 acres of land around the 2.77 acres disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site.

The plea has said that the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas, which is a trust to promote the construction of Ram Temple, had sought the return of excess land acquired in 1991 to original owners.

"This land belongs to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and is not under any litigation. This is a step in the right direction and we welcome it," VHP's international working president Alok Kumar said. 

READ| Big Move By Centre In Ayodhya Matter: Petition To Return Excess Land Filed In Supreme Court

The government's petition comes on a day that the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the Ayodhya title suit case, though that is not to happen now owing to the non-availability of Justice Bobde due to medical reasons. 

Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav has also tweeted about the petition, writing the following:

"Ayodhya dispute: Govt moves Supreme Court, demands excess land be returned to owners. A much-awaited move. 42 acres around d shrine belonged to Ram JanmBhumi Nyas. Court shd allow its return 2 them. The least that can b done in the face of inordinate delays in SC"

READ| Yogi Adityanath Welcomes Centre's Petition To Return Excess Land In Ayodhya Matter, Says "We Must Get Permission To Work On Undisputed Land"

The latest delay in the Supreme Court's hearing of the matter sparked a renewed wave of calls for a Ram Mandir ordinance to be brought in by the government, though Union Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad did not provide any indications towards this when he spoke to reporters at some length about the topic. He did, however, put forth that the citizens of India want a Ram Mandir at the site and that it would be ideal if the Supreme Court resolved the matter at the earliest. He listed out other recent examples where proceedings were carried out and a verdict was delivered in a timely fashion, naming the Sabarimala verdict, the Adultery verdict and the dramatic over-night hearing over the controversial invitation given to BS Yeddyurappa to form a government in Karnataka following the assembly elections there earlier this year.

(Edited by digital desk)