Bollywood on Ayodhya verdict - Let’s move on

MUMBAI - Political parties should not vitiate the atmosphere, say Bollywood celebrities a day after the Ayodhya verdict, stressing that the people should take the court’s decision “in the best spirit”.

By a majority decision, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Thursday ruled that the land around the disputed site should be divided into three parts — one going to Hindus, another to Muslims and the third to Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu sect and an original litigant in the case.

Shabana Azmi: It is time for reconciliation. We need to take a cue from people of India who have held their peace. We need to remind those disappointed with the verdict that they had promised to abide by the court’s decision irrespective of whether it was favourable or not. I appeal to political parties not to vitiate the atmosphere in the coming days. Let’s move on.

Preity Zinta: I salute the decision. Our people too have shown great patience, maturity and restraint. Everyone feared some kind of unrest in the country after the court’s verdict. But from the time the verdict was announced, it became clear that there was going to be no stress. Yaaaay! What I like best is how much India’s image has gained in terms of respect in the international forum. After the drubbing our image took recently, we really needed to prove that we are not a country caught in a time warp. We are a mature nation ready to move ahead and not be bogged down by irrelevant conflicts.

Shilpa Shetty: I’m just happy to accept the verdict. That’s how it should be! Honestly, god is in my heart and we are all fragments of the lord. So there’s no bigger religion than respecting humanity.

Adnan Sami: I respect the court’s decision as I’ve complete faith that the judgment was made in the best interest of the country. I pray that everyone accepts the decision in the correct spirit and national interest. This decision once again upholds the secular ethos of the country.

Katrina Kaif: I don’t understand the complexities of the situation. But I do know that any decision which does not incite any community into aggression is a good decision. I completely believe in peace as the guiding force for every kind of people.

Neil Nitin Mukesh: I am proud of the Indian judiciary. Let peace and tranquility prevail.

Mahesh Bhatt: Go back to the age-old Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb. That’s the court’s verdict. It is a very creative and out-of-the-box job done by the three honourable judges. All political parties must leave it to litigants and if needed Hindus should be ready to work as volunteers for building a mosque. Muslims should come forward for Kar Seva. The honourable court has shown great maturity. The onus is now on us.

Prakash Jha: I think the court’s verdict must be taken in the best spirit.

Bipasha Basu: The disputed land to be equally divided between Sunni waqf, Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla. Sounds like a peaceful verdict. I think the verdict needs to be respected and peace and calm need to prevail. Politics n religion are sensitive issues, we should focus on humanity n peace.

Sanjay Gupta: Well, the verdict appeases everyone. Therefore peace is maintained. That’s what matters. I guess we can proceed now with building both the mandir and masjid side by side and let it be proof of our solidarity.

Abbas Tyrewala: The confidence with which the judgement answers questions on medieval events is intriguing. Yet it fails to accord justice for a modern act of criminal vandalism. A solution to a situation like this could have emerged from dialogue rather than legalese. It’d have set an example for the world.