‘Temple issue will be solved via out of court settlement’

PRAYAGRAJ: President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) Mahant Narendra Giri says seers as well as the office-bearers of 13 recognised ‘akharas’ will not participate in the upcoming Dharam Sabha of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ayodhya on November 25.

Excerpts from his interview with Kenneth John:

Will you and seers of 13 ‘akharas’ attend the Dharam Sabha in Ayodhya as claimed by VHP?

No. It is a VHP-sponsored programme which does not have much relevance to the construction of temple in Ayodhya. We never said we will participate in the event and if the VHP has released a statement saying so, ask them about it. So far as we are concerned, no seer from the ‘akharas’ will attend the

event.

Muslim organisations are skeptical about the motive behind hundreds of thousands of Hindus assembling in Ayodhya like 1992. Will the VHP and Shiv Sena stick to their Dharam Sabha?

There should not be any problem of law and order and 1992like situation should not be repeated. As the president of Akhara Parishad, I can only say that we are not a part of the event. No dispute can be solved through force and violence as it will only complicate things.

What is your stand on Ram temple issue?

One thing is very clear, it will not happen through Supreme Court as it is not interested in the religious sentiments of Hindus. We will have to construct the temple by any means. We are in talks with our Muslim brothers and hopefully an out of court settlement will be achieved soon.

Will the visit of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray help in paving way for the construction of temple in Ayodhya?

I do not think so. The issue can be resolved only through a peaceful out of court settlement on which we are halfway. I will not reveal what is being done to address the issue but a perfect solution to the dispute is on the cards.

Will Ram temple construction begin in Ayodhya before Lok Sabha polls?

Yes. There is no hope from the Supreme Court. The saints will decide a date in Dharam Sansad scheduled to be held during Kumbh mela and we will proceed accordingly. There is not much chance of a law being brought in by the government for temple construction.