The Hindu : Keep off Ayodhya issue, PM tells political parties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 09, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Keep off Ayodhya issue, PM tells political parties

The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, with the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswati, during the golden jubilee celebrations of the latter's `peetarohana' in New Delhi on Sunday. — Photo: V.Sudershan

New Delhi June 8. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today maintained that the contentious Ayodhya issue could be resolved only when "it is freed from politics and when political parties stop looking at it from the point of view of who gains and who loses".

Speaking at the 50th `peetharohanam' (golden jubilee of the ascension of the Acharya) function of the Sankaracharya of Kanchi, Jayendra Saraswati, the Prime Minister stressed the need for an amicable and mutually accepted settlement between Hindus and Muslims on the Ayodhya issue.

But "it seems difficult that such fruitful talks can take place between political parties and their leaders", he said adding that the issue could be resolved only if it was freed from politics.

"We have been saying right from the beginning that the solution to this problem lies either in dialogue to a mutually acceptable agreement or in a verdict of the judiciary. However, these two options are not mutually exclusive. They can be made complementary."

Mr. Vajpayee said the matter was now before the judiciary and "all of us expect that the judiciary gives its verdict soon.

At the same time, it is necessary that representatives of Hindus and Muslims begin to talk to each other to find an amicable and mutually acceptable solution".

"These talks should be focused both on Ayodhya as well as on such other matters that will promote goodwill and harmony between the two communities. The more we create goodwill and mutual trust the easier it becomes to solve this contentious issue."

He said India's prestige was growing around the world and "we have taken India into what can be called a problem-solving phase". "We have been trying to improve our relationship with our neighbours. We have taken steps to establish peace and normality in Jammu and Kashmir and to promote all-round development in the State. We are already seeing some positive outcome of these efforts".

The efforts to resolve the Ayodhya issue were a link in the same chain and "we wish to see an early resolution of this vexed problem. For how many more years can we afford to see it lingering?'' he asked.

In this context, Mr. Vajpayee lauded the efforts of the Acharya in not only trying to resolve the issue but also in promoting developmental activities in Ayodhya.

He said the Acharya made a sincere effort in solving the Ayodhya problem last year.

"It is true that he faced some difficulties and roadblocks. But he did not lose faith in his effort. He has been meeting Muslim leaders wherever he goes. He has earned the respect and trust of people belonging to other religions."

Pointing out that there was a masjid beside the Kanchi Math, Mr. Vajpayee said both puja and namaz take place at the same time and this had been going on several centuries. "The Kanchi Math practices secularism in its true sense of the term."

In his address, the Acharya reiterated that the Ayodhya issue could be amicably resolved through peaceful negotiations between Hindus and Muslims.

Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati, the 70th Acharya, offered his obeisance to his guru.

The former President, R. Venkataraman, said Sri Jayendra Saraswati was the 69th Acharya and ever since he ascended the `peeta' in 1953, he had been championing the cause of the poor and was doing yeoman service in educational and religious activities besides running several hospitals in various parts of the country.

Those who attended the function included the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, the Union Ministers, Jaswant Singh and Murli Manohar Joshi, the former Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Shiela Dixit, the former Governor of Maharashtra and MP, P.C. Alexander, Sri Dayananda Saraswati and the former Chief Justice of India and MP, Ranganath Mishra.

PTI, UNI report:

Speaking to presspersons, the Kanchi Acharya said religious leaders and the Government alone should be involved in the resolution of the issue.

"There could be a honourable agreement between the leaders of the two faiths and a Ram temple could come up."

The Acharya, now holding informal discussions with Muslim religious leaders, said the latter were prepared to hand over the land required for the construction of the temple if the deal was restricted between religious leaders.

"Hindus want the land based on faith but the Muslim Waqf Boards hold part-title of the land and, in return, the Islamic religious leaders want a commitment from Hindus that the issues of Kashi and Mathura should not be raked up and rendering of namaz be permitted in over 100 mosques that have been brought under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India."

As the Centre had permitted the conduct of pujas in temples controlled by the ASI, there should be no problem in extending the same facility to mosques.

He said religious leaders from both sides would issue a joint appeal shortly urging politicians to keep off the Ayodhya tangle to facilitate an early resolution to the dispute.

The Acharya said he had issued an appeal "but the Muslim religious leaders are yet to make up their mind on the issue".

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Keep off Ayodhya issue, PM tells political parties

Indians conquer Aussies

Opposition MLAs not to be paraded before U.P. Governor

2 policemen held for aiding suicide attack

Monsoon arrives, heat wave subsides

Militants kill 3 shepherds

Surie is new envoy to China

Train derails near Gaya