Sri Sri to reach Ayodhya today to play mediator in the Babri Masjid dispute

Aiming to mediate the long-drawn Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is likely to visit the temple town on Thursday, just a day after he met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The spiritual leader, however, stated that he had no proposal yet to discuss with the stakeholders. 

Meanwhile, interacting with journalists, he said, "I want unity...I want amity. This is just a beginning. We will talk to all."

Speaking of the state government's stand on the Ayodhya issue, Sri Sri said, "As far as the Ayodhya issue is concerned, the chief minister's stand is very clear. The state government is not a party (to the dispute). We welcome any settlement and will honour the decision of the court."

Ravi Shankar met Suresh Das of Digambar Akhada, Janmejay Sharan of Rasikpeeth and Rajaram Chandra Acharya of Nirmohi Akahada on Wednesday, and said that he is consulting them to explore ways for a reconciliation between the between the warring parties. Meanwhile, Gautam Vig, a representative of the Art of Living said Ravi Shankar was listening to both Hindus and Muslims but no formula has been worked out yet.

He further said, "The Hindu side is very positive, the Muslim side is very positive."

Accusing of biased approach to the issue, AIMPLB general secretary Maulana Wali Rehmani said, "It is being said that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is talking to all the stakeholders in the case but he has not yet contacted the top leadership of All India Muslim Personal Law Board which is leading the Muslim side."

Rehmani further added, "He said Ravi Shankar had made a similar move to resolve the dispute some 12 years ago and concluded that the disputed site be handed over to Hindus. What new formula he has found this time should be told."

The VHP too said that the Supreme Court's verdict will go in favour of the Hindus as it goes by the evidences produced by the ASI. A bench headed by the then Chief Justice J S Khehar had said in March this year that such religious issues can be resolved through negotiations and offered to mediate to arrive at an amicable settlement.

According to News 18, the court had said, "These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting."

Meanwhile, the state's Shia Waqf Board, siding with the Hindu parties in the case said, "no new mosque should be built in either Ayodhya or neighbouring Faizabad as part of the formula mooted by it to resolve the dispute."
 

• india
• ayodhya
• babri masjid