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Work to begin before June 2
By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MARCH 8. The Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswathi, who returned by a special aircraft this morning, said a simple `Bhoomi puja' _ with a single stone _ would be performed at the `undisputed site' in Ayodhya on March 15. And work on construction of a Ram temple would start before June 2, also at the `undisputed site', with the consent of all the parties to the dispute.

Speaking to the media at the airport here on arrival, the Sankaracharya said all arrangements were being made to go ahead with the function legally and peacefully. The local municipality, the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Centre had been informed. Requisite permission and sanctions would be obtained for the conduct of the ceremony. A ``no-objection'' certificate would be issued by some of the Muslim bodies to proceed with the puja and ``peace and harmony'' would be ensured in Ayodhya.

The Sankaracharya, who has played a mediatory role in trying to resolve the impasse between the two communities was hopeful that an amicable settlement would be reached between the Ram Janambhoomi trust, the Muslim Personal Law Board and the Centre. ``What has happened in the past must be set aside as a bad dream and we must look to the future where we can live in peace and harmony,'' he said.

The Acharya said he expected a favourable decision from all quarters and expressed the hope that some important developments would take place on March 10 and 13. Only with the cooperation and consent of all parties to the dispute and the goodwill of both the communities, a peaceful solution could be reached.

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