No objection to law for Ram Temple, says Babri litigant

Iqbal Ansari, one of the main plaintiffs in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suits, on Tuesday sprung a surprise, when he said that he had no objection to the legislative route for the construction of the Ram Temple.

This comes within days after he expressed threat to himself and the Muslims from the proposed 'dharm sabha' of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Ayodhya.

''All I want is the issue to come to an end... If the government deems fit and there is a delay in deciding the matter by the apex court, it can make a law for the Ram Temple,'' Ansari said in Ayodhya.

He said that all sides must abide by the verdict of the court on the issue but in case of a delay, the legislative route could be explored.

''The issue has now become political... All political parties have been playing politics on the Ram Temple issue... It has vitiated the social environment in Ayodhya and also in the country... It should now come to an end,'' Ansari remarked.

Other Muslim leaders, however, disagreed with Ansari and said that there were other Muslim plaintiffs in the suits also and that Ansari could not take any decision alone.

The saffron outfits, which welcomed Ansari's remarks, geared up to welcome thousands of 'Rambhakts' (disciples of Lord Rama), who were likely to reach the temple town for attending the 'dharm sabha' on Sunday.

''About 25 thousand Rambhakts will be reaching Ayodhya a day before the meet... We are making arrangements for their stay,'' VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma said in Ayodhya on Tuesday.

Senior RSS leader Bhayaji Joshi, who had been camping in Ayodhya with other Sangh leaders to make the event a success, visited the VHP workshop on Monday to assess the progress of the stone carving work there.