Deferment leaves Ayodhya residents frustrated

Tension and optimism gave way to frustration in this temple town soon after the news of the Supreme Court (SC) deferring the Allahabad high court verdict on Ayodhya title suits became public.

Anxious but curious minds — both Hindu and Muslim — eagerly waiting for the long-drawn-out battle to end on Friday let out a collective sigh of ‘oh no!’

Only a few minutes before the deferment, Avanish Chandra Gupta, a garment shop owner near the disputed site, had said, “In 1992, we witnessed curfew for 15 days. After that tension subsided for some time but began building again in the last one week. The number of tourists and customers started dwindling. We are now looking forward to a final solution, which we hope Friday’s verdict will provide.”

Later, when this correspondent apprised him of the SC decision, he said, “Oh God! Will this never end?”

Efforts to extract more failed as an irritated Gupta said, “I am in no mood to say anything more.”

Similar frustration was evident on the face of Laila Begum, who and hubby have been running a popular musical instruments shop here for the past 30 years. Their instruments are used in most temples in Ayodhya and about.

“Trust me. There is absolute solidarity between Hindus and Muslims here. All of us were ready to accept the Allahabad high court’s verdict and start a fresh chapter together. Complete uncertainty has been forced upon us,” Laila said.

Avodh Shukla, who runs a stationery shop in the famous Hanuman Garhi area, said the deferment may send a wrong signal to the outside world regarding people of Ayodhya.

“Hindus and Muslims are dependent on each other for livelihood. For example, Hindus wear garments tailored by Muslims. We were praying the high court’s verdict is accepted amicably and a signal is sent to the world that the 1992 massacre could not divide the people out here. But god knows how much time it will take now for the dream to realise,” he said.

Hashim Ansari, the 90-year-old lone surviving plaintiff in the case, too was frustrated, but made it clear that an out-of-court settlement was not possible.

“We are ready to accept any verdict. But at no cost we want to opt for a settlement,” he said.