Zufar Ahmad Faruqi
What is the Sunni Central Waqf Board’s position on the verdict?
Even before the verdict was delivered, the board had made it clear that we would humbly accept it. We stand by that statement.
As the hearing wound down, there was speculation that the board would withdraw its claim. Where did that arise from?
After the mediation (a Supreme Court-monitored effort by a three-member panel) formally ended on August 15, some parties, including the board, wrote to the panel asking to continue its efforts. The court permitted this, while holding parallel hearings.
On October 15, a form of settlement was signed by me on behalf of the board, and by certain Hindu bodies, though not the prominent ones like the Nirmohi Akhara. It was a conditional settlement. Paragraph 32 of the judgment mentions that I have signed it, and also that it has not been signed by all parties concerned. It was my personal effort, [but it was] not meant to be seen like a unilateral withdrawal of our claim.
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The government had announced a CBI inquiry into the sale of waqf board properties in the state. Did that in any way influence the board’s lawsuit?
I have not yet been informed officially about any inquiry. I first read about it through the media on October 13. By then, I was already on the verge of signing the settlement. The letter for continuation of mediation was written on August 25—more than a month before the news of the inquiry broke. Where is the question of any pressure or influence?
Will you support any other party that files a review petition?
Everyone in the country has a right to file a review petition. If other Muslim bodies want to go for a review, we cannot stop them. We are not filing a petition and we will not support any party that files one.
What will be the board’s role in the days ahead as regards to the verdict?
We are meeting on November 26 to decide that, and are also seeking legal opinion. But I do hope and pray that this is the end of mandir-masjid politics in the country. It has gone on for too long.