SC Suggests Fresh Attempts to Resolve Ayodhya Dispute
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Mar 29, 2017
The issue of Ram Mandir Dispute dates back to 1992, when hundreds of commoners demolished the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya amid claims that it was the birthplace of Hindu deity Lord Rama and the mosque was constructed on the holy land of Hindus.
"The Centre must bring in a law to build the Ram Temple at Ayodhya", Togadia said in a statement here.
In the wake of Supreme Court's mediation offer to settle Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, Telangana RSS General Secretary E Chandrashekhar said on Friday that time is now "ripe" to construct temple of Lord Ram. The government declared the site as disputed and locked the gates to it.
The Supreme Court on March 06 indicated that LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and other BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders may face trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
"It is a sensitive and sentimental issue and it's best that it is settled amicably", the SC observed. "Even the services of my brother judges can be availed for the objective".
The apex court's suggestion for a negotiated settlement to the longstanding dispute on the land title in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya attracted mixed reactions.
Underlining that the suggestion of Supreme Court is "worth welcoming", he said if such complex matters are solved through negotiations, it ensures peace and better understanding between the parties in the future. On February 26 a year ago, the apex court had allowed Swamy to intervene in the pending matters relating to the Ayodhya title dispute with his plea seeking construction of Ram temple at the site of the demolished disputed structure. "Even the BJP has been encouraging solving the issue through negotiations", said P.P. Chaudhary, Minister of State for Law and Justice and a senior BJP leader.
Mohammad Noman, a 20-year-old student, said, "I have not seen the Babri Masjid...if we can find a peaceful solution to this dispute, then we can give a great example of peaceful coexistence and communal harmony to the rest of the world".
Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the BJP leaders, said the matter should be listed after four weeks to enable them to file some documents.
The Parliamentarian told the court that he had approached the Muslim community members who told him that judicial intervention was required to solve the matter. What Swamy said does not matter.
His comments came against the backdrop of the apex court earlier in the day asking parties concerned to sit together to arrive at a consensus on Ayodhya issue, which has been dragging on for decades.
