The UP Sunni Waqf Board is seeking legal opinion on the order of apex court granting land for the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya against handing over the disputed site of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid to Hindus to build a temple.

The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the constitution in its November 9 verdict and granting five acres of land, allotted either by the central government or state government, to the board.

According to board chairman Zufar Ahmad Farooqui, the general sentiment of Muslims on the five-acre alternative land is divided like AIMIM chief Assauddin Owaisi is against accepting it while personalities like Mohd Salim and Javed Akhtar stressed an educational institution or a hospital should be built instead of a mosque.

Farooqui said, “There is no unanimity in the community on what should be done. But I will have to go by the legal advice I will get as chairman of the board.”

He added that the standing counsel of the board has been asked to offer legal opinion on what action need to be taken besides honoring and welcoming the Supreme Court verdict.

Farooqui mentioned it is yet to be decided whether by the board whether to accept the land within the Ram Janmabhoomi complex stretched on 63-acre of land or outside it.

He further added that there was no demand from the board for the five acres of land but as the apex court has granted the order is being respected.