Ayodhya row: some seers to meet Muslim parties

The seers from All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP) have taken a diametrically opposite stand from that of the recent Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) sponsored 'Dharm Sabha' in Ayodhya.

The AIAP, which is an apex body of the saints in the country, plans to meet the Muslim parties to resolve the vexed Ayodhya issue through negotiations.

AIAP president Narendra Giri presided over a meeting of the seers from different sects in Prayagraj, about 200 kilometre from Lucknow, on Sunday.

Giri said that a delegation of the seers would visit Ayodhya on Tuesday to hold discussions with various Muslim parties in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid Title suits, currently pending in the Supreme Court.

The AIAP, which had not taken part in the 'Dharm Sabha', said that the Ram temple issue needed to be resolved amicably through discussions and by taking all parties into confidence.

''We are in favour of settling this issue either through a court order or through negotiations. We do not want to force our decision on any one,'' Giri said.

The AIAP's stand runs contrary to that of the seers affiliated to the VHP, who have ruled out a ''negotiated settlement''.

''There is no need to talk to the Muslim parties any more. The government should immediately clear the way for the temple's construction through a legislation or an ordinance,'' Mahant Kanahiyadas, a prominent seer, had said at the 'Dharm Sabha'.

The AIAP had termed the 'Dharm Sabha' an ''electoral drama'' of the VHP aimed at helping the BJP in the next general elections.

Another saffron outfit Vishwa Vedanta Sansthan organised an 'Ashwamedh Yajna' (a ritual by fire) in Ayodhya for the construction of Ram temple.

Over 1,000 priests have been taking part in the ritual.