Cant understand why SC deferred Ayodhya verdict,says Advani

Accompanied by the BJPs Gujarat in-charge Balbir Punj and former party colleague Uma Bharti,Advani kept his annual date with Somnath,the spot from where he embarked on his yatra this day in 1990.

It was a verdict that most Indians were awaiting, the former deputy prime minister said. The wait has been a 50-year-long one. Both the litigants are happy and prepared for the verdict. The Allahabad High Court had rejected the deferment plea,but I do not understand the SC order.

A Bench of Justices R V Raveendran and H L Gokhale on Thursday stayed the High Court verdict a little over 24 hours before it was to be delivered,and scheduled the next hearing for September 28.

Advani said he hoped that on September 28,the apex court would ask the High Court to give its verdict in a day or two,and that there would be no further delay.

The veteran BJP leader spoke about the importance of September in his life.

On September 12,1947,my family left Karachi forever and settled in Gujarat. It was on September 12 that I announced the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya. On September 25,I embarked on the yatra, Advani said.

He asked rhetorically: Are we secular? If yes,then what really is secularism?

Vivekananda said religion is the soul of India. The Mahatma said without dharma,politics is but dirt. For me,what Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi said are the definitions of secularism. And religion is moral conduct.

He added: The Rath Yatra was secular and it also raised two other issues: good governance and honesty.

Advani evaded questions about Uma Bhartis return to the BJP. She expressed a desire to join me for the puja at Somnath. That is why she is here, he said.

Bharti,who was today seen for the first time at a public event with Advani after her suspension from the BJP,declined to speak.