Days Before Ayodhya Verdict, PM Recalls ‘Mature Role’ Political Parties Played During 2010 Ruling

New Delhi: Days before the Supreme Court is to deliver its verdict on the Ayodhya issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled how political parties and the civil society played a mature role in uniting people when efforts were made to create fissures ahead of the 2010 Allahabad High Court ruling on the disputed land in Ayodhya.

Addressing the people in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address, the prime minister said he vividly remembers the September of 2010 when several "interest groups" had tried to exploit the situation to their interest.

"Some loud mouths had made irresponsible statements just to hog the limelight ... It continued for five to 10 days. Thanks to the people of India, social organisations, political parties, saints, seers and leaders of all faiths, it became a day that furthered unity,” he said.

The judiciary was also respected by all after the verdict, the PM pointed out.

A Special Full Bench of the Allahabad High Court had ruled that the disputed land in Ayodhya will be divided into three parts. A two-thirds portion is to be shared by two Hindu plaintiffs and one-third will be given to the Sunni Muslim Waqf Board.

The apex court is likely to deliver its verdict on the Ayodhya issue sometime in the middle of November.

Extending Diwali greetings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday batted for promoting "festival tourism" in the country, saying we should welcome people from other states and countries while celebrating festivals such as Holi and Pongal.

In his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address, he also referred to the unique "Swachh Siachen" campaign launched by soldiers to clean up the icy battlefield of 130 tonne of trash.

He said the feat is remarkable as nothing decomposes in the icy heights easily. With the country celebrating the 550th Prakash Utsav or birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November, the prime minister referred to his teachings of peace, harmony and equality.

Paying tributes to then prime minister Indira Gandhi ahead of her death anniversary on October 31, Modi also urged people to participate in large numbers in the "run for unity" on Thursday.

The marathon is organised every year on October 31 since 2014 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

While referring to tourism, he said the Statue of Unity in Gujarat has drawn 26 lakh tourists in its first year. It has generated employment opportunities for locals also.

Modi said festival tourism has its own exciting attractions. India, the country of festivals, possesses limitless possibilities in the realm of festival tourism.

"It must be our endeavour to ensure that we should welcome people of other states, other countries when we celebrate Holi, Diwali, Onam, Pongal or Bihu, spreading their true spirit," he said.

Every state, every region is replete with distinct festivals, generating a lot of interest in people from other countries, he said.

The Indian diaspora has a significant role to play in promoting festival tourism in India, he suggested.