Three Muslim plaintiffs against out-of-court deal

LUCKNOW: Three plaintiffs in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case on Monday said they will not accept any out-of-court settlement.

At a gathering of local Muslims in Ayodhya in which the plaintiffs – Haji Mahboob, Iqbal Ansari and Mohammad Umar – were present, a resolution was passed that the “Muslims will not shift the mosque” to any other site.

It also categorically pointed out that Hindus could construct temple on Ram Chabootra in the outer court yard of the Babri Masjid.

After the meeting, a signed press statement was also issued by the three Muslim litigants.

It may be pointed out that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living, is pushing for an out-of-court settlement of the vexed issue.

A six-member delegation of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board from Lucknow had met Sri Sri in Bengaluru on February 9 to find an amicable solution to the Ayodhya dispute.

The Art of Living founder is expected to meet all litigants in the dispute in Ayodhya on March 12.

Meanwhile, Ram Janmabhoomi

› Nothing less than construction of Ram temple at Lord Ram’s birth place in Ayodhya is acceptable. Babri Masjid will not be accepted in Ayodhya.

SHARAD SHARMA, state spokesperson, VHP

Nyas chief, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and prominent seers of Ayodhya also refused to accept any ‘outside’ mediation on the dispute.

“No ‘outside’ mediation in the dispute is acceptable,” said the Mahant.

The word ‘outside’ apparently hinted at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who is not a party to the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid title suit case in Supreme Court.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also rejected any mediation by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

“Nothing less than construction of Ram temple at Lord Ram’s birth place in Ayodhya is acceptable. Babri Masjid will not be accepted in Ayodhya,” said Sharad Sharma, state spokesperson, Vishwa Hindu Parishad.