SC refuses to refer mosque verdict to a larger bench

Guwahati (Assam), September 27, 2018:

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to refer to a larger bench the issue of re-examination of its 1994 verdict which ruled mosque is not integral to Islam.

The SC said the civil suit on the land dispute at Ayodhya would be heard by a newly-constituted three-judge bench on October 29. The order was passed by a 2:1 majority decision.

Reading out the judgement, Justice Bhushan said the 1994 observations were made on land acquisition, not Islam. Stating that “mosque is not integral to Islam” will have no bearing, the SC said the civil suit had to be decided based on evidence.

Justice Bhushan categorically stated that all religions and religious places needed to be equally respected. In this regard, he cited “Ashoka’s edicts preach tolerance to faith of others”.