Ayodhya verdict doesn't justify Babri Masjid demolition, says Chidambaram

Expressing satisfaction over the "respectful and dignified" response of people to the Ayodhya verdict, Union home minister P Chidambaram today said the Centre has no role in the issue except to maintain status quo and ensure law and order across the country.

He told a press conference that it was a fair assumption that the verdict of the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad high court on the dispute will go to Supreme Court which may pass an interim order and take it up for hearing.

"There is no role for the Centre now. The judges have given a stay and ordered a status quo (on the situation as obtaining) before the verdict. The judgement is not operational as of now.

"The judgement is indeed an important document. But it is not operational. It is a fair assumption that appeals may be lodged (in Supreme Court). It is a fair assumption that the Supreme Court will pass interim orders. Therefore, there is no need now to comment on the judgement which is not operational and status quo as decreed in a Supreme Court order in 1994 will be maintained," he said.

When asked a number of questions on the subject, he appealed to the media and television channels not to "over interpret" the judgement and devote extraordinary time and space to it.

To a question whether the judgement dilutes the case relating to the demolition of Babri Masjid, he said this judgement has nothing to do with the act took place December 6, 1992.

"That act was completely unacceptable and it was an act done by people who took law and order into their hands. That remains, in my view, a criminal act. Also, please don't attribute to the judges (of the Lucknow Bench) any attempt to justify what was done in 1992," he said.

On the law and order situation, he said the country has been extremely peaceful and there have been no incidents reported from anywhere.

"We are pleased and satisfied with the response of people which has been respectful and dignified," he said quoting the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who made an appeal to the people to maintain calm in the wake of the verdict.

To a question on UP chief minister Mayawati's allegation that Centre did not provide adequate police forces, Chidambaram said, "I thought the UP government is maintaining law and order with the assistance of the forces provided by the Central government.

"If the UP government thinks that the Centre should maintain law and order with the assitance of UP Police, so be it," he said.

To a question whether Congress party was jittery to the verdict over which BJP was gloating, he said for the views of the party, "you should ask the Congress party spokesperson".