Bid to gain political mileage on Babri

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh, under whose rule the disputed structure was demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, paid a visit to the makeshift Ram temple on Thursday and had “darshan” of “Ram Lala”.

Accompanied by a huge cavalcade comprising over 100 vehicles, Singh and scores of his supporters reached the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid complex and were allowed “darshan” in batches.

Singh later met prominent sadhus and saints of Ayodhya to ascertain their views on their future strategy after the verdict.

Not wanting to allow Singh to gain any mileage from his visit, the government made no attempt to stop the cavalcade and prevent them from reaching Ayodhya despite the tight security arrangements there.

Singh, who had changed his stance on the temple-mosque issue continuously in the past, on Thursday said there was no hope for a negotiated settlement of the issue.Earlier also when he had joined hands with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan had pitched for an amicable settlement of the matter through mutual negotiations. He had also tendered an apology for the demolition of the disputed structure when he was associated with Mulayam.

On Thursday, however, Kalyan, who has formed a new political outfit Jan Kranti Party, said Hindus would never give up their claim on the disputed territory as for them it was a matter of faith.

He said Parliament should pass a legislation paving the way for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya in deference to the wishes of crores of Hindus.