'Ayodhya verdict is historic landmark': How Rajnath, Gadkari reacted

Senior ministers of the Union government have started giving reactions to the

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh  | PTI (File) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh | PTI

Senior ministers of the Union government have started giving reactions to the Supreme Court's judgment on Saturday handing over the disputed site at Ayodhya for construction of a Ram temple for Hindus.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told ANI that the Ayodhya verdict was historic and a "landmark judgment" in history. Rajnath said all should accept the Ayodhya verdict in unity. Rajnath said the verdict would boost the bonds of communal amity. Rajnath had served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh briefly.

He appealed to the public to maintain peace and calm.

Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari noted that everyone must accept the Supreme Court judgment and maintain peace.

Pravin Togadia, former president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and an outspoken advocate of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, welcomed the verdict. Togadia declared, "Ram temple at the same place of Ram's birth has been a Hindu demand for more than 450 years. Lakhs of Hindus sacrificed their lives, careers and families for this."

Togadia claimed that the Supreme Court judgment is a salute to the sacrifices of these Hindus. Togadia also declared the Central government should "be grateful to recognise the sacrifices" of those Hindus. Togadia expressed confidence that the government would start building a "Grand Ram temple at Ayodhya" soon.