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Ayodhya verdict the best under the circumstances: Digvijay

October 08, 2010 17:31 IST

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh has said the verdict of the Allahabad high court in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit was the best possible judgment under the circumstances.

"In the present circumstances, there could not have been a better judgment. It has recognised the rights of Hindus and Muslims both," he said in an interview to Karan Thapar in CNN-IBN's programme Devil's Advocate.

He said the best way to resolve the dispute was to come to some kind of a "reconciliation" between the two parties and for "God's sake" leave politicians and political parties out of it.

Singh, who is also the general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, said the party has held that the issue should be resolved out of court but if it cannot be done, "we should accept the court verdict."

Referring to the judgment, the Congress leader said, "There has to be a judgment which is a win-win situation for all." At the same time, he maintained, the demolition of the Babri Masjid cannot be condoned and it has to be taken to its logical end.

On whether the Muslims felt disappointed and despondent after the verdict, Singh said, "I think there is no need for despondency. The rights of Muslims have also been recognised."

Asked about Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi comparing the banned Students Islamic Movement of India with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and whether such a comparison was ill-timed and immature, Singh shot back saying, "It is neither ill-timed nor immature. These are two groups with ideology of fanaticism and fascism. They have been spreading the ideology of hatred and can be compared." He said SIMI activists were involved in acts of terror and similarly there are a number of RSS activists indulging in the same.

The Congress leader also rejected suggestions that Rahul was provoking the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party in sensitive times saying, "He is not provoking. The fact is that both are communal organisations."

Singh also rejected the theory that Gandhi was his 'chela'.

"Gandhi has a mind of his own. He reads a lot. I think there is no question of being a chela or guru. He is my leader," Singh added.

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