Mixed reaction to SC proposal Sanjay Pandey

Both the Hindu saints and Muslim plaintiffs in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits welcomed the Supreme Court's suggestion for resolving the dispute through talks, saying that a solution achieved through discussions would be a lasting one.

The Nirmohi Akhara, one of the plaintiffs in the matter, said it had always advocated an amicable settlement through mutual talks though its mahant Ram Das asked Muslims to ''give up” their claim on the site.

“We are ready to cooperate with the Muslims if they give up their claim on the dispute site. The mosque can be built at some other place,” Ram Das said in Ayodhya.

The mahant of the famous Hanumagarhi temple in Ayodhya, Gyan Das, also batted for talks to resolve the vexed issue. “Talks are the best way to resolve the matter,’’ he said.

A Muslim plaintiff, Haji Mehboob, also welcomed the SC suggestion. “It is a good suggestion... it will also ensure peace in the country,” he said.

VHP, however, sought enactment of legislation by Parliament to pave way for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member and Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangimahali said there was little chance of the dispute being resolved through talks. ''Earlier efforts in this regard have failed. Muslims cannot be expected to give up their claim on the disputed site,” he added.

A new proposal for resolving the Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute was recently submitted to the ex-officio receiver of the disputed site. In the past there have been efforts at the local level to resolve the dispute through talks. Just a few months back a proposal that contained the signatures of several thousand people from both Hindu and Muslim communities, was prepared by retired Justice Pulok Basu with the help of the Faizabad-Ayodhya Nagarik Samjhauta Samiti. The organisation has members from both the communities.

 The proposal, which provided for the construction of Ram Temple and Babri Masjid on the disputed site, contained a detailed plan. The new proposal was submitted to Faizabad commissioner Surya Prakash Mishra, who is also the ex-officio receiver of the disputed site.

Basu has been trying to resolve the dispute out of the court with the help of local people from both communities.