December 15, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 10, 1423

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NEW DELHI, Dec 14: All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Saturday demanded that the centre give an undertaking in parliament on implementing the judicial verdict in the Ayodhya dispute.

“The Union government owes it to the people to make a forthright statement on the floor of the house that whatever be the verdict, it shall be executed without any hesitation, as well as take steps to curb the anti-national agitation of the VHP,” S Q R Illiyas, Convener, AIMPLB Committee on Babri Masjid, said.

The Muslims were prepared to wait for the verdict and abide by it, even if it went against them, Illiyas and AIMPLB executive member Syed Shahabudin told a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala).

Asked whether this meant the scope for a negotiated settlement was lost, Shahabuddin said negotiation was possible only if government came out with a formula and the VHP suspended its agitation.

Talks had often run aground with VHP holding that the issue was a “matter of faith” when it came to the question of evidence, they alleged.

“Now there is only one way and it is a judicial settlement either by the Allahabad High Court or by the Supreme Court,” they said. “The battle for Babri Masjid is not a battle for Masjid alone. It is also a battle against the fascist forces,” Shahabuddin said.—APP