Division of RJB site not acceptable: VHP

Rejecting the Allahabad High Court’s ruling for division of the disputed land at the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex here, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has decided to move the Supreme Court to get possession of the entire land at Ayodhya to build a Ram temple.

The saffron outfit has also decided to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 23 to press for the entire 70 acre of land for the construction of a grand Ram temple on it.

These decisions were taken by VHP’s high-powered committee in a meeting held at Karsevekpuram here, Parishad’s president Ashok Singhal told mediapersons at a Press conference after the meet on Wednesday.

Rejecting the three-way division of the land, as ordered by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court in its judgement of September 30, Singhal said it would be similar to the partition of the country and hence it was unacceptable to them.

While stating that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Ram, Singhal said the VHP conclave also ruled out construction of a mosque in the town, which was a holy place for the Hindus. “Ayodhya is a religious city for Hindus and there is no place for a mosque there,” he said.

The Sunni Central Waqf Board has also decided to challenge the High Court verdict in the apex court.

Singhal also rejected any proposal for solving the issue through discussions. ‘’When Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas has failed at least four times for an out-of-court settlement, there is no question of any further talks on the issue now,’’ he said.

Singhal said several Muslim leaders, including Babri Masjid Action Committee convener Sayeed Shahabudin, had categorically said in Parliament that they would leave the claim on the disputed land if the court found that the mosque was built after demolition of a temple.

‘’After the High Court’s verdict, they should hand over the entire land for the Ram temple,’’ he added. The VHP leader said the Allahabad High Court had also said that the mosque was built on the ruins of a temple. “Now, why should Hindus go for any compromise?” he asked.

Earlier, Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Basudevanand Saraswati welcomed the Allahabad High Court verdict and had said that the high-powered committee also appreciated the consensus judgement of the three judges declaring the disputed land as the birthplace of Lord Ram.

‘’After the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, now we have also decided to approach the Supreme Court to get possession of the entire 70-acre land,’’ he said.

The Shankaracharya also announced that a nation-wide campaign would be launched to seek support for the Ram temple after the end of the Hindu festival season on November 17.

Jagatguru Pejawar Swami Visvestirthji Maharaj said that to continue the brotherhood between Muslims and Hindus, the Muslims should give up their claim on the disputed land at Ayodhya. ‘’How can a Ram temple and a mosque be built in such a small place?’’ he asked, and threatened that the sadhus and saints would be forced to launch an agitation if the entire land was not given to Hindus for the Ram temple.

The meeting was chaired by Gorakshpethadhirswar Mahant Avaidhnath and out of 48 members, 36 attended it.

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