Ayodhya verdict live: Country's unity strengthened after verdict, say religious leaders

On the eve of the verdict, both Hindu and Muslim litigants in the Ayodhya title suit reiterated on Friday they will accept the SC verdict and expressed hope peace will prevail in the country. "My happiness knows no bound since I heard the judgment would be pronounced on Saturday morning. Whatever the court decides will be welcome. Whoever is born in India will accept the apex court's decision," said Mahant Dhinendra Das of the Nirmohi Akhara, which is a party in the case. Read more

Ahead of the landmark verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid land dispute case, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday requested all to accept the Supreme Court's judgment and maintain peace. "We have full faith in our judiciary. I appeal to all to accept the Supreme Court's verdict and maintain peace," he told reporters in Nagpur.

The land of Ram was visibly calm, but with a tinge of excitement on the eve of the Supreme Court judgment. Residents said there was no room for disharmony in Ayodhya, a city that carries the Sanskrit epithet - a land that cannot be conquered. The pilgrim town, however, mirrored a cantonment with men in khaki outnumbering residents and the clank of boots in non-stop drills drowning bhajans. "The dispute has lingered for too long now. It has deprived the city of development. I hope the wait ends finally," said Mohan Das, resident of Tulsi Smarak Udyan area near Hanuman Garhi. Read more

53-year-old Rajnikanth Sompura - the last artisan for the Ram temple at VHP's karyashala (workshop) passed away on July 5, just over four months before the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, taking with him decades-old skills.

As the Supreme Court registrar announced that the much-awaited verdict on the Ayodhya issue in its list for Saturday, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath convened an unscheduled emergency meeting of his core team to review the state's preparations, with the verdict coinciding with the large-scale congregation of pilgrims in Ayodhya for Panchkosi Parikrama.