Ayodhya dispute: Hindu saints suggest building of mosque across Sarayu river

While the Muslims remain divided in their response over the Supreme Court of India's 'suggestion' to resolve the Ayodhya Ram Temple issue through amicable discussions, the Hindu saints have happily agreed to the SC's idea claiming that this matter could not be resolved through court orders.

In a 'Sant Samagam' being held in Vrindavan (Mathura), the Hindu saints visiting the Bhagwat Krupa Nikunj in Raman Reti Ashram held a meeting on this issue and it was decided that the Muslims should be encouraged to hold discussion on this matter so that a mutually agreeable solution could be arrived at.

Renowned Saint Bhagwatacharya Krishan Chand Shastri said that the Ram Temple has been in the same place for thousands of years and it was renovated by King Vikramaditya, which was demolished by the aggressor Babar, who constructed a mosque on top of the ruins of these temples.

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Naval Giri told India Today that a grand temple should be built at the Ram Janmabhoomi and if the Muslims wanted a mosque, it could be constructed across the Sarayu river. He said that all Hindu saints are now of a firm opinion that the time has come for the final resolution of this dispute.

When India Today talked to Mahamandaleshwar Bhaskaranand on this issue, he said that it is imperative that the temple construction begins soon as Lord Ram is the soul of India and it is a matter of the belief of crores of Hindus that a temple is constructed on the site without any delay.

However, commenting on the Supreme Court suggestion, social activist and Muslim leader Mohd. Akbar said that the Supreme Court suggestion of holding fresh talks with Hindus regarding the temple was not acceptable to the Muslims as this case has been in the courts for almost three decades and there have been several rounds of talks with the Hindu groups but there was no result.

BOTH SIDES SHOULD WAIT FOR SC

He said that the Muslims cannot accept the offer made by the Saints to move the mosque across the Sarayu river. He said that if the matter has been taken up by the Supreme Court, then both sides should wait for its decision on this matter. He said that whatever the Supreme Court orders, will be acceptable to all Muslims.

Social activist and student leader Subham Kumar told India Today that even the biggest of issues could be resolved by holding discussions in an amicable atmosphere and with open hearts. The temple issue could also be resolved if both parties are willing to sit across the table with a clean slate. He said that the Ram Temple issue is connected to the belief system of the Hindus and if the Muslims keep just this fact in mind, they will realize that this disputed piece of land has a lot of significance for the Hindus whereas for the Muslims, it was just another mosque with no specific belief attached to it.

He said that the Supreme Court order may be the only solution visible at this time but some political leaders are talking about forming a law to solve this issue permanently. It remains to be seen what the Central and State governments have in mind on this matter now.

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