Akhara wants Muslims to give up Babri claim

“If the Muslims give up their claim to the disputed land, a compromise can be reached.... They (Muslims) will be given land to construct the mosque elsewhere,” Nirmohi Akhara chief Bhaskar Das said.

“Any talk or attempt to resolve the matter amicably is futile unless this demand is conceded by the Muslim contestants,” the Mahant said adding that the Akhara was ready to extend all help in the construction of the mosque at some other place.

Earlier in the day, Das had a closed-door meeting with firebrand BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, who later said the Union government should enact legislation paving the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site.

Incidentally, the Akhara “sarpanch” was among the Hindu and Muslim religious leaders who have been trying to bring the parties to the table to arrive at a negotiated settlement. The Akhara had also moved the Allahabad High Court stating that it favoured an out-of-court settlement.