Ayodhya verdict does not condone demolition: Sonia Gandhi

The Allahabad High Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute did not condone the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Congress president Sondia Gandhi said, on Tuesday, while asserting that the perpetrators must be "brought to justice".

The Allahabad High Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute did not condone the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Congress president Sondia Gandhi said, on Tuesday, while asserting that the perpetrators must be "brought to justice".

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"The judgment in no way condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid," Gandhi said at a meeting of the All India Congress Committee, in the capital, on Tuesday. "It was shameful, criminal act. Perpetrators should be brought to justice," she said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, on September 30, divided the disputed land into three equal parts - one going to the Hindu parties, one to the Nirmohi Akhara and one to a Muslim litigant.

She praised the Indian people for ensuring that there was peace and harmony after the verdict was announced.

"The broader message for all is that our fight against communalism and fanaticism of all types has to continue unabated. The abuse of religion to inflame passions will be forcefully resisted by our government," she said.