India rejects Pakistan's 'unwarranted and gratuitous comments' on Ayodhya verdict

Several Pakistan ministers questioned the timing of the Ayodhya verdict citing its coincidence with the inauguration of Kartarpur corridor.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a statement, "We reject the unwarranted and gratuitous comments made by Pakistan on the judgement of the Supreme Court of India on a civil matter that is completely internal to India.

It pertains to the rule of law and equal respect for all faiths, concepts that are not part of their ethos. So, while Pakistan's lack of comprehension is not surprising, their pathological compulsion to comment on our internal affairs with the obvious intent of spreading hatred is condemnable." 

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi asked the Indian government to set up a trust within three months to decide on the disputed Ayodhya land for the Hindus to build a temple, while they asked for a five-acre land for the Muslims to construct a mosque in a prominent alternative location.

Inner and outer land should be given to the trust, the court said in the 70-year-old legal dispute. In a unanimous judgement, the Sunni Waqf Board was given 5 acres of alternate land. 

The disputed land now goes effectively in possession of the Indian government. 

Questioning the timing of the verdict, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said as quoted by Hindustan Times, "They are trying time and again to play down today’s historic achievement which is an initiative of Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan."

Pakistan's Information advisor Firdous Ashiq Awan said the timing of the verdict is done to create more confusion.

Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry termed the judgement as " shameful, disgusting, illegal and immoral", Hindustan Times reported.