Maharashtra leaders welcome Ayodhya verdict

MUMBAI - Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan Thursday exhorted the people to respect the Ayodhya verdict and maintain peace and harmony.

We are all Indians first and must place the country above everything else. Nobody should act in any manner which would harm the religious sentiments of their fellow-countrymen, Chavan said here.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal also welcomed the verdict and urged the people to respect the court verdict and accept it calmly and peacefully.

Urging people to remain peaceful, Home Minister R.R. Patil said that any party which felt aggrieved had a right to appeal before a higher court.

On the other hand, Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi, while respecting the verdict, said that responsible leaders of the Muslim community would appeal before the Supreme Court.

We have always reposed faith and shall continue to have faith in the judiciary and are hopeful that we shall not be disappointed in the apex court, Azmi said.

Mumbaikars heaved a sigh of relief at the outcome of the case and have largely welcomed and lauded the verdict.