PM Modi hails Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya, upholds peaceful co-existence of communities

He tweeted in reaction: "This decision of the Supreme Court is important for several reasons: It shows how important it is to follow the legal process in resolving a dispute. Each side was given enough time and opportunity to present its arguments. The temple of justice resolved the decades-old case amicably.

"This decision will further strengthen the confidence of the common man in judicial processes. In accordance with the spirit of brotherhood of thousands of years of our country, we have to introduce peace and restraint to 130 crore Indians. To introduce the underlying spirit of India's peaceful co-existence," he said.

In a crucial judgement apparently in favour of the Hindus but widely hailed as balanced, the Supreme Court on Saturday 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.